Meet this year’s recipients of awards from the Missouri State University Alumni Association.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Daytime drama writer had long-term success in film and television

Kay Alden Nelson

Job title

Screenwriter

MSU degree

Master’s in speech and theatre, 1970

Other education

Bachelor’s in education, 1967, Emporia State University in Kansas; doctoral candidate in communication arts, 1970-74, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Lives in

Chicago

Achievements

• One of the most produced writers in history, with a decades-long career in television.
• Has been head writer for both “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
• Has won six Daytime Emmy Awards (including two when she served as head writer) and two Writers Guild Awards.
• Used her platform to address critical social issues, such as cancer, homelessness, date rape and childhood poverty.
• Often returns to Missouri State to provide master classes and one-on-one workshops with student writers.
• Has been married for decades to Chicago businessman Vernon Nelson, her high school sweetheart (whom she met again 15 years after their graduation). They have three adult children: Constance “Conci” Nelson, John Nelson Alden and Noah Nelson.

“I have been privileged to enjoy a 40-year career writing daytime television. This has given me the opportunity
to enter millions of homes daily and provide compelling entertainment. Through our stories, we were able to bring
hope, inspiration and knowledge to our millions of viewers. I believe firmly in the power of the arts to educate, transform thoughts and bring people together.”
— Alden Nelson

Outstanding Alumnus Award

Alumnus is a recognized leader in national dairy farming industry

Randy D. Mooney

Job titles

Owns and operates Mooney Dairy with wife Jan; chairman of the board of the Dairy Farmers of America

MSU degree

Bachelor’s in animal science, 1981

Lives in

Rogersville, Missouri

Achievements

• Has worked on a dairy farm his whole life; he raised his family on land his ancestors have owned since the 1850s.
• Has been chairman of the board of the Dairy Farmers of America, or DFA, since 2010. DFA is a global dairy farmer-owned milk marketing cooperative and food company, and is the world’s largest supplier of raw milk.
• Under Mooney’s leadership, DFA has grown its presence in the world marketplace.
• His work with policies affecting food safety, nutrition, trade and dairy policy takes him to Washington, D.C., regularly, as well as to meetings around the globe.
• Has served in leadership roles for the National Milk Producers Federation, whose members represent nearly 80% of U.S. milk production.
• Is a member of the board of directors for both Hiland Dairy and the Missouri State Milk Board.
• Received many top Missouri awards for leadership in agricultural achievement and dairy farming.

“I have a passion for agriculture and specifically dairy farming. I am fortunate to be able to spend a career doing what I love and working with my family at the same time.”
— Randy D. Mooney

Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

Researcher recognized for his contribution in fight against cancer

Dr. Chad Walesky

Job titles

Research fellow at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital

MSU degrees

Bachelor’s in cellular and molecular biology and chemistry, ’07; master’s in cellular and molecular biology, ’09

Other education

PhD in pharmacology and toxicology, ’14, University of Kansas Medical Center

Lives in

West Roxbury, Massachusetts

Achievements

• Researches cancer; has explored new ways to identify how liver cancer develops.
• Was the recipient of the American Society for Investigative Pathology 2017 Young Scientist Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding and sustained achievements at the earliest stages of a career in biomedical research.
• Has won more than 10 other honors and awards in research and science.
• Has already been published more than 10 times in his career.

Excellence in Public Affairs Award

Alumnus has made giving back a central part of his business

 

Michael W. Cossins

Job title

President/owner, The Integra Group, Inc.

MSU degree

Bachelor’s in computer information systems, 1991

Lives in

St. Louis metro area

Achievements

• Founded The Integra Group in 1999. It was created to solve software engineering problems for businesses.
• The Integra Group has a long-standing commitment to helping those in need. They partner with four charities: Habitat for Humanity, Give Hope Global, Midwest Food Bank and the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation. Cossins has been personally involved in each, whether it is hanging insulation on a house or orchestrating food deliveries to children in need.
• Cossins established a charitable foundation committee within his company to give money and time to the less fortunate.
• The Integra Group gives each employee two paid service days per year so they may be involved in a charity of their choice.
• Cossins has participated in mission trips in the U.S. and abroad. He has gone to a Native American reservation in Wyoming, and twice to Belize, to serve those in need.
• Cossins is a leader in Young Life, a nondenominational Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school and college-aged students.

Volunteer Group of the Year

These alumni and friends help us raise a toast to student success

Hospitality Leadership Wine Tasting and Silent Auction Planning Committee

Committee members: Brian Inman, 1987; Matt Bekebrede, 2004; Sara Marquart, 1988; Angie Fellers-Beard, Fellers Food Service Equipment

Achievements

• Committee members are all members of the Hospitality Leadership Advisory Board. They plan and execute a profitable wine tasting and silent auction fundraiser each February that benefits the students of the hospitality leadership department.
• The committee coordinates all wine, food, venue space and silent auction items for the event with zero expense to the department.
• Proceeds go to three uses: student scholarships, the Hospitality Leadership Executive Speakers series held each spring and future wine event needs.
• Each year, the committee sets an aggressive fundraising goal and works to generate revenue for each aspect of the event. Since its inception in 2013, the event has grown and has now generated more than $88,700 in cash and gifts-in-kind revenue.
• Committee members give their own personal time to make sure all event details are adequately addressed.

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Next wine tasting: February 2020!

Sample wine, enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres and bid on auction items — all for a great cause.

Follow the Hospitality Leadership blog for more details about the event.

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Bears of Excellence 2019

The Hon. David Rush

Job title

United States Magistrate Judge, Western District of Missouri, Springfield Division

MSU degree

Bachelor’s degree in education, 1983

Other education

Juris Doctor, 1986, University of Iowa

Lives in

Springfield, MO

Achievements

• Presides over a robust federal criminal docket as well as federal civil cases, Social Security appeals and mediation in civil matters. His duties also include presiding over mental health hearings at the Federal Medical Center in Springfield.
• In 1994, appointed Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) attorney with the Department of Justice, Federal Drug Task Force Section, devoting a majority of his time to disrupting and/or dismantling major drug trafficking organizations. During his tenure he received numerous awards related to his prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations:
  • Meritorious Achievement Awards from the South Central and West Central OCDETF Regions for prosecutions of “Operation Deuce IV Seven”(1996), “Operation Triple Threat” (1999) and “Operation Predator” (2003)
  • Commendation Award by the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association (2008)
  • Distinguished Service Award by the West Central OCDETF Region (2009)
• Voluntarily presides over Re-Entry Court, an intensive supervision program for federal criminal defendants with addiction issues following their release from the Bureau of Prisons.
• Frequent presenter on prosecuting federal drug trafficking cases and gangs, drug use prevention, and addressing the methamphetamine problem in southwest Missouri.
• From 1994-2005, served as a member of the Springfield R-12 School and Community Drug Use, Prevention, and Health Advisory Council.
• Board member and mentor since 2000, Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield, serving as Board President in 2007, and presented with the 2012 Bill Stalnaker Award.

Dr. Jessica (Trout) Snider

Job title

Hematologist/oncologist, Mercy Health System

MSU degree

Bachelor’s degree in biology, 2002

Other education

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), 2006, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences

Lives in

Springfield, MO

Achievements

• Appointed to the Clinical Board for Mercy Health Systems
• Completed residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Tennessee, Memphis.
• Board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology.
• Served as the American Cancer Society Cattle Baron and sits on the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks Board.
• Named “Top Doc” for hematology/oncology by 417 Magazine and carries a 4.9 rating by her patients.

Sandy (Percival) Miller

Job title

Anchor, FOX 2 News, St. Louis, MO

MSU degree

Bachelor’s degree in electronic media, 1985

Lives in

St. Louis, MO

Achievements

• Joined FOX 2 News in 2002, and is the primary anchor for the FOX 2 News weekdays at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. in St. Louis, MO.
• Emmy Award-winning journalist for excellence in reporting.
• Previously co-anchored the 9 p.m. news at KPLR-TV, St. Louis.
• Served as director of marketing for Koplar.
• Ten years in corporate television at Anheuser-Busch, STIHL-TV, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and many others.
• Worked as an intern at KOLR-TV while in Springfield.
• Sandy is a former Miss Missouri and placed 3rd runner-up in the national Miss USA Pageant.
• Active in her community with Missouri Humane Society, United Cerebral Palsy and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, among others.
• Served as emcee for Missouri State University’s St. Louis MarooNation Ball for the past four years.

Rebecca McLean

Job title

Assistant superintendent, curriculum and instruction for the Neosho School District

MSU degree

Bachelor’s in education, 2004

Lives in

Neosho, MO

Achievements

• Has responsibility for managing federal programs, instructional coaches, English Language Learners, migrant and immigrant education and special education
• Oversaw the expansion of career exploration and project-based learning programs.
• Implemented a standards-based grading system, 1:1 technology for K-12 and a comprehensive literacy model with positive results to student achievement.
• Raised over $150,000 in community donations to support classroom literacy.
• Opened a new junior high school with an innovative learning environment.
• Implemented new Missouri learning standards.
• Serves on the boards of Bright Futures (Champions for Kids), United Community Fund Board (Secretary) and Advocates for Better Choices (Drug Court).

 

Karen Rapier

Job title

Senior merchant/Sr. buyer at Walmart

MSU degree

Bachelor’s in computer information systems, 1993

Lives in

Bentonville, Arkansas

• Held positions in buying and planning over past 12 years in the areas of media and gaming, consumer electronics, electronics, furniture, home, outdoor living and apparel at Walmart and JC Penney.
• Team captain of 1992 Missouri State University Final Four Lady Bears basketball team.
• Assistant coach/recruiter, women’s basketball, Missouri State University, leading the team to six additional NCAA tournament appearances.
• Associate coach/head recruiter, women’s basketball, University of Michigan.
• 40 Under 40, Springfield Business Journal, 2000.
• Missouri State University Sports Hall of Fame, 1999; Missouri Hall of Fame, 2015.

Nominate a Bear you know for the 2020 awards