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Northwest Missouri State University honored outstanding organizations, students, faculty and staff Monday during its 15th annual Northwest Awards and Recognition.
The Northwest Awards and Recognition is a collaborative celebration to recognize excellence exhibited by students, faculty and staff. The event celebrates awards presented by Student Employment, the Graduate Office, the Office of Student Involvement, B.D. Owens Library, the International Involvement Center, the Office of Human Resources, Student Senate and the Student Success Center.
As the keynote presenter, Assistant Vice President of University Advancement Jill Brown encouraged ceremony attendees to spread joy and take time to thank other people.
“I like the fact that we actually get to take the time to slow down for a day and honor and recognize so many worthy students, faculty and staff in a very meaningful way,” Brown said. “I think sometimes we get to running pretty fast and pretty hard and don’t take the time to actually stop and remember how awesome it is to be a Bearcat.”
A complete listing of the nominees appears below. Award recipients are marked with an asterisk; they are pictured with Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum and an excerpt of their nominators’ comments.
Allison McCord
Nora Crowley
Olivia Gilliam
Ana Maria Giraldo (not pictured) for “Impact of Athletes’ Media Representation on Self-Objectification,” a research proposal written for Dr. Amy Barton’s Research Methods course. The proposal surveyed existing literature and focused on the relationship between media portrayals and female self-objectification. Giraldo noted that studies focusing on athletes’ portrayals covered external perceptions rather than self-perception. The proposed research centered on athlete’s self-perception in relation to sexualized vs. performance-focused media portrayals of athletes of the same sex.
Allison McCord, for “Woodrow Wilson in Siberia,” written for Dr. Devlin Scofield’s Historian’s Craft and Uses course. Her paper surveyed primary source and existing literature about the Siberian intervention by exploring the geo-political background that might have led to the decision made by the Wilson administration. McCord examined theories that suggest imperial interest, allied pressure and his predecessors’ foreign policies as the possible driving forces behind Wilson’s decision.
Nora Crowley for “The Role of the ICRC in POW Camps,” written for Dr. Devlin Scofield’s Historian’s Craft and Uses course. Crowley examined the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross during the first World War. She posited that while the committee was successful in providing humanitarian aid to POWs, it was ineffective in the near-impossible goal of humanizing the war and in successfully implementing international laws.
Olivia Gilliam for “The Great War’s Greater Victim: A People Under an Ineffective Tsar,” written for Dr. Devlin Scofield’s Historian’s Craft and Uses course. Gilliam’s paper covered the life and reign of Nicholas II of Russia. She reflected on his efficacy as a leader and linked his shortcomings as having played an integral part in Russia’s losses during World War I, the Russian revolution and the fall of the Russian Empire.
Eylül Oktay
“Eylül juggles many jobs, all of which require incredible attention to detail and are integral to the library’s functions. She provides administrative support to library operations, and she is often tasked with processing, compiling and managing records, and preparing reports. Part of her work includes record management and communication for the Library Research Awards as well as our annual regional library conference. She is solution-oriented, a quick learner and a team player. In a short amount of time, she has done a great job of learning niche systems and procedures, organizing and managing time, and has shown a lot of investment in her job.”
Dr. Jesse Lane
“Dr. Lane made me feel as an individual rather than a ‘S’ number or ‘919’ number. It was his one-on-one teaching style and relatability that I found a home in geography as a degree. Northwest Missouri State University would be blessed to allow Dr. Lane to continue teaching at Northwest as he challenges students to be better versions of themselves, both academically and in their own personal lives.”
Angela Zarybnicky
“Angela is a role model to the first-generation and low-income students for whom she serves. Angela is innovative in the creation of meaningful curriculum and experiences to inspire her students to achieve their goals. The work she does paves the way for not only her students but also their descendants to attain a college education and impact their communities.”
Luisa Vargas
“She tries her best to make a connection with everyone she meets and to leave a lasting impression. Outside of her own tutoring hours, she also comes into the SSC to translate for appointments where there is a language barrier between a tutor and their tutee. She makes this unique situation comfortable for both parties, and it has led to greater academic success in students. Personally, Luisa has taught me so much about her culture and is so open about her background. I feel that I have an enhanced experience here at Northwest because of my opportunity to get to know all about Luisa and her journey to and at Northwest.”
TRIO Student Support Services Student Peer Mentors
“Peer mentors are instrumental in creating a vibrant and engaging community for SSS students, and their efforts are truly commendable. In the fall 2024 semester, mentors assisted with reaching each of the 180 SSS students and documented over 730 contacts. Their commitment to excellence truly sets them apart as an outstanding student employment team.”
Connor Gorman
“Connor has contributed to positively transforming our office in countless ways. He has developed into an exemplary student, person and leader, not only for our department but for the University. The work of our proctors at Northwest is essential for many students around campus to receive the help they need in order to be successful. Connor has taken the responsibilities of this position and has exceeded every expectation. His contributions to our office have been invaluable and he has, without a doubt, left a lasting impact on the students we serve, our current staff and anybody who will interact with our office in the future.”
Lily Alvarez
“Life Unlimited provides a wide range of services to assist individuals who are aging or have a disability who want to remain living in their own home. Lily is responsible for her own caseload of individuals receiving services. She completes monthly phone contacts and provides case management to ensure their needs are being met and facilitates any barriers or needs to continue to live independently. Lily excels in ensuring all her participants can continue to live independently and remain an active community member by making sure they continue to feel safe in their home and that they have all the community resources needed to maintain their independence.”
Jessica Davis
“Jessica approaches every situation with a calm, thoughtful mindset. There are times when we’ve faced challenges that we didn’t know how to solve, but Jessica always comes through with insightful questions and ideas. She’s an incredible asset to our team.”
Max Ferris
“Max’s understanding of student success is evident not only in his interactions with others but also in the programming he develops. For instance, Max initiated a resource photo scavenger hunt designed to encourage students to explore campus resources and learn about available support systems. Max has also made a lasting impact throughout the University and community. His connections to local organizations, such as the Humane Society and the Bleu Barn, have enriched his outreach efforts. Max has not only improved the TRIO program but also set a strong example of what it means to serve others.”
“Abby leads with compassion and kindness that is appreciated by everyone. Considering the students that our office serves, having Abby’s empathetic personality present has been invaluable. She is exceptional at assessing a student and finding the best way to help them and understands the need for advocating for our students and doing what she can to enact necessary change. Abby has been able to build relationships with anyone and is always quick to include everyone. She has been key to developing the warm and welcoming culture that our office has come to have.”
Jae Barnett
Jae spends a significant amount of time conducting market research on social media to stay relevant and competitive. She takes the time to thoroughly examine what is trending online and comes up with fun ways for us to put our own Northwest spin on it. Doing so helps us communicate various recruitment tactics in a fun and engaging way. Creating content involves countless hours of video editing, sound engineering, and lots of writing. Her ability in video editing has brought many new effects and skills to the table that we continue to utilize. She is a rare hire, and I cannot thank her enough for all she has done for Northwest.
Other nominees:
Sigma Kappa
“Sigma Kappa members are bound by a promise to model service and leadership in their communities, especially within Sigma Kappa. Their mission is to ‘Lead a life of purpose.’ Many students find deep meaning in volunteering for others. Sigma Kappa has done an extraordinary job living up to its mission as an organization through service.”
Student Activities Council
“This program not only strengthened student connections but also contributed to a more inclusive and engaging campus culture. Its success reflects Northwest’s commitment to fostering meaningful experiences that support student well-being and sense of belonging.”
Behavioral Sciences Association
“The Behavioral Sciences Association utilizes fun activities and events as well as engaging speakers involving students, faculty and community. BSA brings awareness to pertinent issues such as mental illness and the stigma surrounding mental wellness. Not only is BSA focused on issues and ideas surrounding mental health but also initiatives that pertain to their four pillars of education, service, philanthropy and professional development.”
Dr. Debra Brown
“Dr. Brown consistently goes out of her way to help students in this organization succeed. She provides helpful insight, helps establish connections in the music community to allow us to find good speakers for our professional development events and stays late for executive and chapter-wide meetings.”
Emma Huettner
“The advisor of Marine Biology Society since 2009 has witnessed 15 different presidents and executive boards. None have matched Emma Huettner’s passion, thoughtfulness, and inspiration. She leads meetings with clarity and organization, sharing updates and events in an engaging and fun way. Her enthusiasm has increased member participation and led to successful fundraising efforts, such as a university-wide documentary screening and bake sales. Emma has also introduced new ideas, like pairing senior mentors with junior members and linking students to online resources through social media. In short, Emma has revitalized the Marine Biology Society and deserves recognition for her outstanding contributions.”
Malayna Case
“Malayna is deserving of this award due to her exceptional dedication to Northwest and the TRIO SSS program. Her strong work ethic, critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills set her apart as a leader. She is committed to her education and personal growth, and her passion for her work positively impacts her peers and the community. Malayna’s outstanding contributions make her a deserving recipient of this award.”
TRIO Student Support Services professional and student staff members
“TRIO SSS peer mentors provide a variety of ways for their fellow SSS participants to get involved with the program as well as on campus. Mentors support each other by assisting with their respective events, fostering a sense of teamwork and leadership within the group. The high level of student engagement is a testament to the quality of events planned by our mentors and their dedication to reaching out to students. The mentors not only host events that benefit the SSS students but also everyone on the Northwest campus, from students to faculty and staff.”
Dr. Susan Myllykangas
“Her passion for teaching goes far beyond the classroom, as she dedicates so much into ensuring her students not only succeed academically but also genuinely understand the content we are learning. She inspires excitement for the field of therapeutic recreation and fosters a love of learning that is truly unique and unlike any professors I’ve had in the past. Her commitment to helping students grow into well-prepared professionals is unmatched, and she consistently goes above and beyond to support us in every way possible.”
Michelle Allen
“Michelle Allen is always a great person to work with. Fast. Efficient. Caring. Ethical. All are good descriptors of her work. This past year, Michelle has had to deal with many additional challenges beyond those duties "normal" to her position, and she has met each and every challenge. Michelle is the most impactful colleague with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work. Her work ethic and concern for the students, staff and faculty in our department make it stronger.”
Milan Aranda
“Milan is a very well-organized leader who is kind and passionate about her position. As an individual, she demonstrates what it means to be a Northwest student and always is willing to jump in and help others no matter how big the task at hand is. By promoting social inclusion and accessibility, Milan, as a student coordinator, plays a vital role in ensuring that all individuals, regardless of ability, can engage in fun, supportive, and enriching experiences.”
St. Jude Bearcats
St. Jude Bearcats hold multiple events throughout the semester in support of community service and engagement such as the Harvest Festival, Gold Out Games, Cut Loose, and Colden Pond Polar Plunge. The goal of all these events is to connect Northwest campus to the broader community with the common goal of supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Bonnie Woods
“In the fall, they became a peer mentor to help other first-generation students navigate their college experience and took on the leadership role of Event Coordinator Mentor, organizing four successful events, including one focused on sustainability. This nominee’s dedication extends to supporting students in individual meetings and offering guidance, while also assisting staff with training opportunities. Despite balancing two jobs, they have maintained a strong GPA and are committed to continuing their education through graduate studies.”
Jennifer Partridge
“They are supportive, engaged, and reliable, stepping up whenever needed and often going the extra mile. This nominee listens to students in distress, offers guidance to those lacking confidence, and ensures they leave feeling better than when they arrived. They build meaningful relationships quickly, remember students and follow up with them, showing unmatched compassion. This nominee excels at working with first-generation students, meeting them where they are and adapting to their needs, inspiring those around them with their dedication and heart.”
Dr. Jesse Lane
“This nominee is always proactive in seeking advice and ensuring their students’ needs are met, whether it’s through making lectures accessible or designing assignments beneficial for students beyond the geography program. Personally, they have been a consistent source of support, from helping the nominator with technical issues on the first day to guiding them through personal struggles, ensuring they never felt alone. Throughout difficult times, including a family crisis, this nominee has provided comfort, encouragement, and wisdom, making them an invaluable mentor and someone truly deserving of recognition.”
Kai Crabb
“This nominee has been an invaluable student employee for the School of Computer Science and Information Systems for almost three years, serving as a teaching assistant and student ambassador. As a teaching assistant, they have shown exceptional dedication, managing multiple lab sessions and organizing help sessions to support students. Beyond the classroom, this nominee has contributed to recruitment efforts, such as CyberPalooza and CSIS Visit Days, and even returned to their high school to promote the School of CSIS. They also actively participate in the Cyber Defense Club, supporting peers and helping to create a strong sense of community. With a strong work ethic, leadership, and genuine care for others, this nominee has made a significant impact on student success at Northwest.”
