Northwest recognizes employees achieving milestone years of service

Dec. 9, 2025

Northwest Missouri State University today recognized 89 employees who have attained milestone years of service at the University during its annual employee recognition events.

The cumulative years of service for the recognized employees is 1,280 years. Those employees and their years of service are listed below.

“This event is all about recognizing the dedication, the passion and the outstanding contributions that each of you bring to Northwest,” Krista Barcus, Northwest’s vice president of culture, said during opening remarks. She added, “Whether you’re receiving an award today or cheering on your colleagues, this celebration is a reflection of the collective strength we've built together.”

5 years of service

Pictured left to right in the front row are Cara Harvey, Amanda Meiners, Bobby Welch, Shelby Messner and Tony Christian. Pictured in the back row are Kristen Barmann, Miranda Hoyt, Crystal Combs, Beth Russo, Sarah Freeman and Kirtley Thomas.

Abbie Cornelius and David Fletchall are pictured with Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum.

Kristen Barmann, senior transfer specialist, Office of Admissions
Westly Bertha, officer/investigator, University Police Department
Dr. Ethan Bottone, assistant professor of geography, School of Natural Sciences
Bill Brooks, instructor of agricultural sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences
Tony Christian, coordinator of housing assignments, Auxiliary Services
Crystal Combs, instructor of computer science and information systems, School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Abbie Cornelius, custodian-third shift, Facility Services
Matthew Cronk, groundskeeper, Facility Services
David Fletchall, custodian-third shift, Facility Services
Sarah Freeman, assistant director, Student Account Services
Cara Harvey, custodian-first shift, Facility Services
Miranda Hoyt, customer relationship management administrator, Office of Admissions
Caitlin Jewett, associate director, Office of Financial Assistance
Dr. Laura Kauzlarich, assistant professor of accounting, Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business
Amanda Meiners, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics, School of Mathematics and Statistics
Shelby Messner, instructor of accounting, Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business
Kait Miller, online transfer academic advisor, Office of Academic Success and Retention
Beth Russo, risk management, insurance and contract system administrator, Office of Risk Management
Alexander Taylor, assistant professor of agricultural sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences
Kirtley Thomas, painter, Facility Services
Bobby Welch, plant operator-third shift, Facility Services
Giavanna Zupancic, associate athletic director for academics and compliance, Department of Athletics

10 years of service

Pictured left to right in the front row are Wes Rockwood, Ashlee Hendrix, Hannah Christian, Brian Swink and Buddy Mayfield. Pictured in the back row are Dr. Rhonda Beemer, Kristen Peltz, Rachel Mayfield, Cathy Barr, Mary Welch, Jennifer Pitts, Dustin Greenlee and Todd Weddle.

Pictured left to right are Kathleen Kobayahsi, Melissa Chestnut and Amanda Cullin with Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum.

Cathy Barr, assistant coordinator of field experience, School of Education
Dr. Rhonda Beemer, associate professor of health and physical education, School of Health Science and Wellness
Brandy Brady, director of library services and operations, B.D. Owens Library
Dr. Denise Case, senior instructor of computer science and information systems, School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Melissa Chesnut, testing center coordinator, Office of Institutional Research
Hannah Christian, director, Career Services
Amanda Cullin, chief, University Police Department
Dr. Nathan Eloe, associate professor of computer science and information systems, School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Jessi Gard, office manager, School of Agricultural Sciences
Dr. Arghya Goswami, associate professor of geology, School of Natural Sciences
Dustin Greenlee, security analyst, Office of Information Technology
Ashlee Hendrix, digital content manager, Office of University Marketing and Communication
Dr. Charles Hoot, associate professor of computer science and information systems, School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Dr. Nissa Ingraham, professor of professional education, School of Education

Kathleen Kobayashi, office manager, Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business

Kristin Little, coordinator, Career Services
Rachel Mayfield, counselor, Wellness Services
Buddy Mayfield, director, Office of Financial Assistance
Kristen Peltz, director of counseling, Wellness Services
Jennifer Pitts, administrative specialist, Office of Finance and Administration
Wes Rockwood, web designer, Office of University Marketing and Communication
Dr. Devlin Scofield, associate professor of history, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Brian Swink, senior instructor of mathematics and statistics, School of Mathematics and Statistics
Todd Weddle, multimedia services manager, Office of University Marketing and Communication
Mary Welch, groundskeeper, Facility Services
Cynthia Williams, graduate studies coordinator, Graduate Office
Melvin Withington, custodian-second shift, Facility Services

15 years of service

Pictured left to right are Brooke Hull, Evan Rand, Stacy Carrick, Dr. Mark Hornickel, Dr. John Katsion and Clinton Farnan.

Dr. Casey Abington, professor of economics, Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business
Stacy Carrick, vice president, Office of Finance and Administration
Clinton Farnan, custodian-first shift, Facility Services
Dr. Mark Hornickel, communication manager, Office of University Marketing and Communication
Brooke Hull, senior human resources generalist, Office of Human Resources
Dr. John Katsion, professor of communication, School of Communication and Mass Media
Dr. Jacqueline Kibler, associate professor of psychology, School of Health Science and Wellness
Dr. Mohammed Meziani, professor of chemistry, School of Natural Sciences
Evan Rand, assistant director, Wellness Services
Lawrence Shackelford, heating, ventilation and air conditioning supervisor, Facility Services
Dr. Tiebing Shi, professor of marketing, Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business

20 years of service

Pictured left to right are Scott Shields, Terri Vogel and Dr. Jennifer Wall.

Nikki Bucy, assistant director, Auxiliary Services
Kristina Martinez, interim sergeant, University Police Department
Connie Murphy, study abroad specialist, International Involvement Center
Dr. Susan Myllykangas, professor of recreation, School of Health Science and Wellness
Jason Offutt, senior instructor of mass media, School of Communication and Mass Media
James Scott, plant operator-first shift, Facility Services
Scott Shields, assistant director of operations, Auxiliary Services
Jody Throener, buyer, Office of Purchasing
Terri Vogel, registrar, Office of the Registrar
Dr. Jennifer Wall, professor of mathematics and statistics, School of Mathematics and Statistics

25 years of service

Pictured left to right in the front row are Dr. Rose Viau, Amy Wilson, Leslie Abarr-Cuenca and Michelle Allen. Pictured in the back row are Dr. Terry Long, Christopher Drennen, Kenton Wilcox, Danny Smith and Brenda Untiedt.

Pictured left to right in the front row are Lisa Crater, Sandra Francis and Dr. Bayo Joachim.

Barbara Walk

Leslie Abarr-Cuenca, director of student academic success and retention, Student Success Center
Michelle Allen, lab coordinator, School of Natural Sciences
Dr. Wayne Chandler, associate professor of English, School of Literature, Language and Writing
Christopher Drennen, network administrator, Office of Information Technology
Dr. Terry Long, associate dean, College of Education, Health and Human Services
Dr. Ahmed Malkawi, professor of chemistry, School of Natural Sciences
Dr. Anthony Olson, professor of music, School of Fine and Performing Arts
Jennifer Schieber, custodian-second shift, Facility Services
Danny Smith, landscape zone supervisor, Facility Services
Brenda Untiedt, director of advancement services, Office of University Advancement
Dr. Rose Viau, assistant vice president of student affairs, residential and auxiliary services, Office of Student Affairs
Kenton Wilcox, senior instructor of English, School of Language, Literature and Writing
Amy Wilson, teacher education student services coordinator and compliance specialist, Professional Education Unit

30 years of service

Steven Chor, telecommunications engineer, Office of Information Technology

35 years of service

Lisa Crater, office manager, School of Natural Sciences
Sandra Francis, part-time financial assistance counselor, Office of Financial Assistance
Patricia Holley, programming director, KXCV-KRNW
Dr. Bayo Joachim, professor of communication, School of Communication and Mass Media

40 years of service

Barbara Walk, payroll manager, Office of Payroll