Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) faculty and staff gathered Jan. 23 to recognize their peers who had reached milestones in their service to the university during the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon.
University officials recognized several staff members who have reached one of the five-year milestones of service to the university during the past calendar year. They also recognized faculty members who received appointments, promotions or tenure, as well as faculty and staff members who retired during the past year.
Staff recognitions
Staff members reaching service milestones included:
- Five years: Douglas Cooley, Katie Dudden, Rebekah McKinney, Jared Phay
- Ten years: Tara Shahan, Joan Wright
- Fifteen years: Alyssa Collins
- Twenty years: Kris Brinkerhoff, Kristina Huff, Deanna Smith
- Twenty-five years: Kelly Elkins, Rachel Peterson
- Fifty-five years: Neva Parrott
To be recognized with a service award, employees must have worked full-time at the university and reached a five-year milestone by Dec. 31. The years of service are determined on a calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31). Employees with five years of service receive a framed certificate and gift card. Employees with 10 or more years of service receive a certificate and gift card.
Faculty recognitions
Faculty members receiving appointments included:
- Dr. James Maxin, lecturer of physics
- Rachael Gipson, program director/technical instructor of veterinary technology
- Dr. Felix Danso, assistant professor of biomedical sciences and chemistry
Faculty members receiving promotions to the rank of assistant professor of nursing included Joanna Patillo and Misty Walton
Faculty members receiving promotions to the rank of associate professor include Jacob Poulette, computer graphics and programming, and Dr. Sharath Rongali, biology.
Jessica Banning, instructor of nursing, and Sheila Rather, instructor of nursing, received tenure.
Full-time ranked faculty members must apply for promotion at the appropriate time as stated in the annual Academic Work Calendar and in accordance with evaluation procedures outlined in the Faculty Handbook. The Reappointment, Promotions and Tenure Committee determines their eligibility for promotion and makes a recommendation to the vice chancellor of academic affairs.
When a full-time ranked faculty member is hired, he/she is given a probationary period. The ranked faculty member must apply for tenure the year prior to the last year of the probationary period or it will result in no appointment for the year following the probationary period.
Retirees
University employees who retired during the past year included:
- Judy Carr, associate professor of psychology/sociology
- Vickie Driskell, public relations specialist
- Benton Grills, groundskeeper and general maintenance worker
- Michael Gwaltney, groundskeeper and general maintenance worker
- Ron Hensley, director of facility operations
- Dr. Dennis Lancaster, chancellor
- Vickie Petkovic, academic success coach
Part-time Employee of the Year
University officials also recognized the 2025 Part-Time Employee of the Year, Drago College Store employee Linda Fox. The annual award recognizes part-time employees who provide exceptional work and dedication to Missouri State University-West Plains. Recipients contribute to the university’s success in a significant way by doing their job with passion every day.
Fox, who has worked for MSU-WP, since August 2023, was described as dedicated and always seeking to improve. This fall, she started running Grizzly Grounds, a coffee shop in Hass-Darr Hall. She was critical to this project as she helped plan the layout, menu, employee training and running the day-to-day operations.
“Linda exemplifies the mission by emphasizing student success through her role at the Grizzly Grounds and her ability to connect with students. She always has a smile on her face and is always interested in students’ triumphs and challenges,” her nominator said.