Becker, a 1998 graduate, is the W. Gerald Austen Endowed Chair of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron, in Akron, Ohio. He holds appointments in the departments of Polymer Science and Biomedical Engineering. His multidisciplinary research team is focused on developing bioactive polymers for regenerative medicine and addressing unmet medical needs at the interface of chemistry, materials and medicine. To date, his group has published more than 140 papers, has 35 patents issued or pending and has delivered more than 200 invited lectures in 20 countries throughout the world. He is the founder of three start-up companies – 3D BioResins, 3D BioActives and Fortem LLC, under the umbrella of the holding company 21st Century Medical Technologies. Becker was one of two people worldwide under the age of 40 to be awarded the Macromolecules-Biomacromolecules Young Investigator Award in 2015. He also is a Kavli Fellow and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Institute of Medical and Biomedical Engineering and the PMSE Division of the American Chemical Society. He resides in Stow, Ohio.

Joachim is a professor in Northwest’s School of Communication and Mass Media. He joined the faculty in 1990, teaching for seven years and returning in 1999 after earning his Master of Law degree in international law and international relations as well as his Master of Science in criminology. He has taught a variety of communication courses, served on numerous committees and sponsored several student organizations. In addition, he has won several awards, such as the Northwest Excellence Award for Civility and the Dean’s Faculty Award for Service. In addition to his teaching career, he has coached high school soccer in Maryville for 10 years and works on orphanage, high school and community projects in Haiti. He resides in Maryville.

Piveral came to Northwest in 2000 as the director of teacher education services, having earned degrees from the University in 1970, 1974 and 1982. She advanced to become dean of the College of Education and Human Services in 2010, serving as the leader of five academic departments that represent diverse disciplines as well as the Horace Mann Laboratory School until her retirement in 2016. Because of her vast experience and leadership in education administration, Piveral helped position the School of Education to be one of the strongest and most reputable education programs in the region. During her tenure, she received many awards and served on various committees and teams. Piveral’s experiences and research put Northwest in the national spotlight as it was named one of two universities in the nation to receive the prestigious Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teaching Award in 2006. She resides in Pickering, Missouri.

Moore, a 1978 graduate, has been an active volunteer and supporter of Northwest since graduating with his bachelor’s degree in business finance. While at Northwest, he served as class president his sophomore year, student body president his senior year, president of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was a member of the Blue Key Honor Society. After retiring from a 30-plus-year career with the Federal Reserve Bank, Moore continues to share his expertise through volunteer activities at Northwest and in his community. A member of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors, he was instrumental in establishing a successful fundraising initiative for the Hughes Fieldhouse with the creation of the Founding 50, a group of leadership donors providing gifts of $50,000 and greater. Moore also has given of his time, talents and treasures to Northwest’s Greek Life community, providing leadership and support during the University’s Greek Life visioning process. As a loyal supporter of Northwest, Moore has made countless trips to Maryville to attend meetings and events. He lives in Raymore.

Wion is a construction superintendent with the Turner Construction Company and an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union electrician in Des Moines, Iowa. Although he is not a graduate of Northwest, he is an active member of the Central Iowa Alumni and Friends Chapter and volunteers his time at many events. Wion works the Northwest booth at the Iowa State Fair each summer, speaking with prospective students and parents about the Northwest experience. He especially likes to connect with parents of prospective and current students and shares his experience as a parent of a Northwest graduate. He also enjoys Bearcat athletics and can often be found assisting at the Northwest Alumni Association’s tent during Bearcat Zone tailgates. He resides in Urbandale, Iowa.

Quinlin, a 2000 graduate, is a Maryville native and has been the head athletic trainer at Northwest since 2003. Her responsibilities include managing the total well-being of all Bearcat student-athletes. She oversees the majority of long-term rehabilitation programs and works directly with women’s basketball and golf as well as the men’s and women’s tennis teams. She regularly presents to community groups regarding injury prevention and care, and she is a member of the Athletic Trainer Advisory Committee for the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. She was the 2007 and 2008 recipient of Northwest’s Tower Service Award, which recognizes faculty and staff for outstanding service and contributions to the University. She also was recognized by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association with the 2008 NATA College and University Athletic Trainers’ Committee Above and Beyond Award for the care she provided to a student-athlete after he sustained severe burns from an apartment fire. She was named the 2017 National Athletic Trainers' Association Division II Head Athletic Trainer of the Year.

Heiland, a 1999 graduate, has more than 15 years of experience in government affairs and economic development. He has served the Maryville community as its assistant city manager since 2012. During his tenure, Heiland has been instrumental in strengthening the bond between the Northwest and Maryville communities. His most notable achievements have come with the transformation and development of Mozingo Lake Recreation Park, the construction of the Watson 9 youth golf course and the Fourth Street Improvement Project, and gathering community support for the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse. As a result of these efforts, Heiland has been selected five times as a presenter for the International Town and Gown Association Annual Conference for his collaborative work with the city of Maryville and Northwest. He resides in Maryville.