Alumni Association honoring seven; tickets on sale now

rob bolin ronhouston stephen town frank grispino
Bolin Houston Town Grispino

mercedes johnson peggy miller robert lee stanton
Ramirez Johnson Miller Stanton

Seven distinguished members of the Northwest Missouri State University family will be honored during the Alumni Awards Banquet Friday, Sept. 28, in Maryville. Held each fall, the Northwest Alumni Association event will begin with a 6 p.m. social in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. and the awards presentation at 8 p.m.

"The Alumni Awards Banquet is an evening of elegance when the Northwest Alumni Association shows its appreciation to individuals who have given of their time and talents to Northwest," said Steve Sutton, director of alumni relations. "It is with great pride that we host and honor these Bearcats for their exceptional professional and personal achievements, extraordinary distinction in their fields and devotion to Northwest."

2007 honorees

Rob Bolin is a 1983 graduate of Northwest and will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes exceptional professional and personal achievement and extraordinary distinction in a chosen field. As past president of the Northwest Foundation and a Centennial Society member, Bolin is the owner of Bolin Auto and Truck Parts in St. Joseph. He is an avid supporter of Northwest and has been a sponsor and attendee of many University events. He also is a member of the St. Joseph Host Lions Club and Ducks Unlimited. He lives in St. Joseph.

Ron Houston attended Northwest from 1960 to 1963 before transferring to the University of Missouri-Columbia to receive an engineering degree. He will receive the Turret Service Award, which acknowledges significant contributions of time and talent on behalf of the University and the Alumni Association. Houston is president and CEO of J.L. Houston Company in Hopkins. He is a member of the Maryville Industrial Development Board, the Steel Tank Institute Board and the Northwest Foundation Board. He lives in Maryville.

Dr. Stephen Town, professor of music at Northwest, will receive the Distinguished Faculty Award, which recognizes a current faculty member for outstanding teaching, service and/or research. Town came to Northwest in 1986 and has conducted Northwest’s distinguished Tower Choir at concerts across the nation. A teacher, conductor, performer, author and researcher, Town is the first faculty member from the music department to be invited to conduct at Carnegie Hall and to teach at Imperial College, London University, under the sponsorship of the Missouri London Program. He lives in Maryville.

Dr. Frank Grispino, professor of educational leadership and the director of the doctoral program at Northwest, also will receive the Distinguished Faculty Award, which recognizes a current faculty member for outstanding teaching, service and/or research. Grispino has been a member of the Northwest faculty for 42 years. He has served as chairman of the educational leadership department, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, supervisor of the Horace Mann Laboratory School and on many community and statewide organizations. He lives in Maryville.

Mercedes Ramirez Johnson, class of 1997, will receive the Young Alumni Award, which is given to Northwest graduates who received their diplomas during the past decade and whose exceptional professional, public service and/or volunteer achievements have brought honor to the University. Johnson, who lives in Lewisville, Texas, is a professional speaker and writer. Johnson was instrumental in establishing the Dallas Alumni and Friends Chapter of the Northwest Alumni Association. As a former member of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors, she served as co-chairwoman of the Annual Giving Committee.

Dr. Peggy Miller, a 1969 Northwest graduate, will receive the Distinguished Emeritus Faculty Award for outstanding teaching and many years of service to Northwest. Miller began her teaching career in Benld, Ill., returning to Northwest in the fall of 1969 as the lead teacher in the new Child Development Laboratory. She was instrumental in expanding the laboratory and providing a model program for students pursuing a two-year child care administration certificate and for those majoring in child and family studies. She lives in Maryville.

Robert Lee Stanton will receive the Honorary Alumni Award, which honors Northwest friends who have served, promoted and loved the University in the tradition of a loyal graduate. Stanton is a former member of the Northwest Board of Regents, serving more years than any other member. Because of his service to Northwest, Stanton was awarded an honorary doctorate degree. He is a member of the Rock Port United Methodist Church, Rock Port Rotary Club, Rock Port Telephone Cooperative and many other community organizations. He lives in Rock Port.

For more information about the Alumni Awards Banquet, or to purchase tickets, call the Office of University Advancement at (660) 562-1248 or email alumni@nwmissouri.edu. Registration also is available online at www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni/events/awards_registration.htm. Tickets are $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Reservations will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 21, on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, please contact:

Mitzi Lutz
Advancement Communications Specialist
Office of University Advancement
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468
mitzi@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: (660) 562-1248
Fax: (660) 562-1990
www.nwmissouri.edu/alumni

Return to Previous Page