Drury University celebrates outstanding graduates with awards ceremony
Drury University held its 72nd annual Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony during Alumni Weekend on May 11. The Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize individuals who have achieved personal and professional success and demonstrated contributions to their communities.
Selected graduates will be recipients of an award in one of several categories. This year, the following graduates were honored for their contributions:
- Edwin “Cookie” Rice (’52/H/’20) Lifetime Achievement Award
- Wes Pratt (’73) Lifetime Achievement Award
- Basil “Trent” Webb (’89) Career Achievements
- Michael “Mike” White (’61), Community Service
- Kelly Sitzman (’10) Young Graduates
- Lynn Chipperfield (’73) University Activities
- Rita Baron (’99) Special Achievement Award
We are currently accepting nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Awards for 2025. Nominations received after March 1, 2024 will be considered for the following year.
Mattacks Neu-Prater Eye Center Brings New Vision Technology to Southwest Missouri
New eye care technology has been introduced at Mattacks Neu Prater Eye Center in Springfield.
High-performance lifestyle lens implants, called light accommodating lenses (LAL), are designed to permanently replace the eye’s natural lens and correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, eliminating or reducing patients’ reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
Unlike other artificial lenses, LAL technology can be customized with special ultraviolet light. rear The surgery is complete. This allows the patient to get the best vision possible based on their needs and lifestyle. Other lenses are fixed and cannot be adjusted after implantation. The LAL can be adjusted multiple times after surgery until it is fixed.
Missouri Broadcasters Association presents annual awards
The Missouri Association of Broadcasters handed out 264 awards, inducted six individuals into the MBA Hall of Fame and presented the Excellence in Broadcasting Award during its annual convention, held in Osage Beach from May 30 to June 1. The Excellence in Broadcasting Award was presented to KSNF-TV General Manager John Hoffman.
“John has been in broadcasting in his home market for 40 years, and he has done so much for Joplin and the region,” said MBA President and CEO Chad Mahoney. “Serving the community is what local broadcasting is all about, and John has certainly played his part in that. We are thrilled that he has been selected for this award.”
The MBA Hall of Fame inductees are:
- Brian BusbyChief meteorologist at KMBC in Kansas City
- Mike ClaiborneCardinals Radio Network
- Steve Grantanchor of Springfield’s KY3
- Bob MooreOwner of Broadcasting and Communications Engineering in Lebanon
- Anne PetersonHe was an anchor for KCTV in Kansas City from 1979 to 2003.
- Wendy WieseHost of the Jennifer & Wendy Show on KTRS in St. Louis
Arvest Bank Promotes Morbeck and Crane to C-suite Leadership
Arvest Bank announced that Amy Morbeck and Brad Crane have been promoted to new leadership positions within the organization, effective June 10th.
Morbeck, a 28-year banking industry veteran, currently serves as executive vice president and sales manager for the bank’s Benton County market. He has been appointed chief product and innovation officer. In this new role, he will be responsible for leading sales, service and support. He will also oversee marketing, customer experience, product teams and go-to-market execution.
Crane, who has served as president of Arvest Bank of Benton County since 2020, will be regional executive for enhanced banking services. In his new role, he will be responsible for the operational management of Arvest Wealth Management, Arvest Equipment Finance, Treasury Management, WACO Title, Consumer Lending and Arvest Credit Cards. He will also oversee the bank’s two industry sectors: healthcare and food value chain. Crane has been with Arvest for 18 years.
While these two executive positions are new to Arvest, they essentially combine the roles held by previous executives.
Southeastern Springfield Rotary Honors Three Local Heroes
The Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast has announced three police officers as the recipients of its Professional Excellence Award for 2024. The honor is bestowed on individuals who exemplify Rotary’s motto of “Service before Self” through their professional achievements and community service.
The Rotary Club recognized the following:
- Corporal Travis Sanders of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department;
- Sergeant Major Chase Stallcup Missouri Highway Patrol
- Detective Lee Walker of the Springfield Police Department.
“Corporal Sanders, Sergeant Stallcup and Detective Walker have demonstrated unwavering dedication and selflessness in service to their community,” the press release stated. “Their exemplary work ethic, leadership and passion to protect and serve their communities make each individual a worthy recipient of this award.”
