script

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Drury University > Alumni & Giving > Alumni Awards & Honors > Distinguished Alumni Awards



Founded in 1951, the Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize individuals who have achieved professional and personal successes, and demonstrated exemplary service to their community.

Distinguished Alumni Award Distinctions

  • Lifetime Achievement: Alumnus whose life and accomplishments have earned the respect of their industry, profession or community.
  • University Engagement: Alumnus with extraordinary achievement in their personal and professional endeavors, with special attention to their exceptional service to the University.
  • Community Service: Alumnus who has served his or her community in an exemplary way, sustaining a record of leadership and dedicated service.
  • Career Achievement: Alumnus with exceptional achievements in their professional endeavors, reflecting honor on the University and its alumni.
  • Young Alumni: Alumnus who graduated within the last 15 years and whose accomplishments set a standard for life-long excellence.
  • Appreciation Award for Faculty/Staff: Faculty and staff member honored for achievement in their professional or academic field and loyalty to the University.
  • Special Merit: Alumnus who have provided distinctive contributions to support the University, Alumni, and the Drury Family in the preceding year.

Nomination Timeline

Nominations are accepted throughout the year. In late Fall, the nomination cycle closes to allow selection of honorees for the upcoming ceremony year.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Nominations received after March 1, 2024 will be considered for the following year. Final selections will be made by June 1, 2024.

Distinguished Alumni Nomination Form

Videos and livestream of the 2023 awards ceremony will be posted soon.

2022-2023 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime AchievementSherry Brock Delo ’68

Sherry Brock Delo ’68

Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish

Sherry Brock Delo was slated to be the first college graduate in her family, and she wanted to attend a quality school. Drury University was a place she knew she could get the kind of education she envisioned and prepare for a remarkable career. But Delo wasn’t exactly sure what she would do after college.

“There wasn’t a lot of guidance on careers at the time, but I was good at languages,” says Delo. Her time at Drury was marked by leadership. Her credentials included president of Tri-Delta and class officer, three of her four years at Drury. Delo appreciated the community feel of the small Drury campus, and the fact that it was inclusive and not “cliquish.”

“I really got to know people, and my leadership roles were gratifying,” she says.

Leadership became a recurring theme in her life as she transitioned to a career. After graduation, she married Jack Delo ’65 and moved to Delaware, where she was hired as a journalist. Gleaning from her experience on The Mirror’s writing staff, she had a knack for interviewing people. Eventually, she landed an interview with Sun Oil Co., and was invited to come work for them.

Delo rose through the ranks at Sun Oil in Philadelphia until she was head of employee communications. But she soon began exploring the relatively new field of wealth management, and established her own practice in 1985.

Delo Advisors specialized in long-term financial planning for clients with high net worth – $3-10 million on average at that time. The practice emphasized investments, income taxes, retirement, business transfer and family and community stewardship. As founder of the practice, Delo received numerous awards for financial planning and served on the advisory councils of several major mutual fund companies.

Delo’s highly successful clients taught her much about running a business, but she was something of an anomaly in the field.

“For the first 10 years of my career, it was about 95% men and 5% women,” she says. “But everyone working in the field had similar qualities. They were leaders, highly analytical, highly motivated. I was treated as an equal.”

Delo Advisors sought to serve its clients in a way traditional financial advisors were not, coordinating all their financial affairs. This coordination is where Delo she saw pushback – not from her co-workers, but from other professionals.

“I had to persuade them all to work together and to work with me,” she recalls. “That takes a friendly personality, and someone who is convincing.”

As Delo grew her business, she also made time to pursue two lifelong interests – how to prevent and treat child abuse and how to work against and prevent racism. She volunteered and became part of the strategic board leadership for Family Forward, a St. Louis organization devoted to the prevention and treatment of physical and sexual abuse of children of all ages. She also served on the board and became president of the St. Louis National Conference for Community and Justice, an organization that fights bigotry, bias and racism and promotes respect and understanding among all people.

In 2015, Delo sold her practice and the couple moved to Berkeley, California, where they delight in their four grandchildren, their two daughters other family.

Give in Honor of Sherry Brock Delo

Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime AchievementChet Hunter ’22

Chet Hunter ’22

Master of Public Service and Safety Leadership

At just 45 years old, Chet Hunter has over 25 years of combined public safety experience. To say he’s dedicated his life to your safety, would be an understatement.

He’s been part of the fire service, emergency medical services, 911 communications and most recently emergency management for the last 14 years.

Hunter is the current assistant director of emergency management for Washington University in St. Louis, where he works alongside a team of 10 to support the university.

“The call to service and community arrived late for me as a college student,” he says. “I certainly felt a strong desire to serve others and support their quality of life. Through this calling I started to get involved in the local emergency response field.

“My desire to serve my community culminated during my first experience with a natural disaster. The life impact and devastation that these events can bring is, at the very least, life changing. It was these moments that ultimately crafted my direction into the career field of emergency management.”

Hunter is the former director of the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management and former director of the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency.

“As my career began to develop and as I began to see the need was greater than any one person, I began to strategize how to move these mountains,” he says. “This started in Lawrence County with the first-ever county Community Emergency Response Team. We built a training curriculum, promoted the class and called upon our community volunteers.”

The CERT team has responded to several disasters not only locally but also regionally, and across the state of Missouri. Hunter’s drive to improve didn’t stop there.

In addition to his Masters of Public Service and Safety Leadership, he is a licensed emergency medical technician, holds the professional development series and advanced professional development series certificates from FEMA, is a graduate of the National Emergency Management Executive Academy, as well as masters infrastructure protection certificate holder from Texas A&M Engineering Extension.

He also remains an active member of the Southwest Missouri Incident Support Team, in addition to serving as president for the Region 7 International Association of Emergency Managers and holding a position on the FEMA Region VII Regional Advisory Council.

“Professionally, as I sought out a desire to set policy and change the way we direct ourselves when disasters strike our community, I began to get involved in public safety associations,” he says. “My desire is to see our cities, counties, states and nations be greater prepared as citizens and for our citizens … The dynamic nature of preparing for emergencies, and training your community is a task that is never complete.”

Give in Honor of Chet Hunter

 

Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime AchievementJames Silkenat ’69

James Silkenat ’69

Bachelor of Arts in History

The United States was in political and social upheaval when Jim Silkenat ’69 came to Drury University in the mid-1960s. In fact, his first visit to campus was on Nov. 22, 1963 – the day President John F. Kennedy died. Amidst the many changes the country saw in the following four years, Silkenat’s professors encouraged him to be open to opportunity.

One such opportunity was studying abroad in London, an experience Silkenat says extended his appreciation for the broader world. This appreciation eventually led him to practice law, a career field he hoped would allow him to have a positive impact on people and society.

Silkenat’s college life was marked by a variety of opportunities to work with talented people on timely issues, and so was his career. His resume is filled with influential roles at major institutions – including legal counsel at the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C. and partner at Sullivan & Worcester in New York City – but his leadership always included service to his community.

While practicing law, Silkenat used his time and influence to offer pro bono legal assistance to nonprofit organizations. Because he was known as someone who was making an impact, he was invited by the American Bar Association in the mid-1970s to participate in meetings in China as part of a cohort of national legal leaders. The catch? He had to join the ABA to be included in the delegation. His membership in the organization turned out to have a significant impact on his career.

Silkenat almost always said “yes” to opportunities as they came: he gave speeches, chaired committees and moderated conferences when asked. The more opportunities he took, he says, the more opportunities presented themselves in turn. Credits to Silkenat’s name include founder and chair of the Lawyer’s Committee for International Human Rights, now Human Rights First; national chair of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation; service as a director of the World Justice Project; lecturer at numerous prestigious universities such as Harvard, Columbia and Georgetown; and author or editor of 19 books on law, public policy and international affairs. In addition, he has led a number of national and local initiatives to expand opportunities for women and minorities in law and business.

In 2013, Silkenat was elected president of the 400,000-member ABA, the largest volunteer professional association in the world. Every year, the ABA president selects the national theme for U.S. Law Day, an officially recognized day to reflect on the role of law in the country. Silkenat chose the Every Vote Counts Initiative, which continues to be a national priority. He wrote in the ABA Journal in 2014:

“I sought to emphasize a number of issues I hoped would both strengthen American civil society and improve the U.S. justice system,” he says. “This included a focus on voting rights, immigration reform, access to justice for rural/underserved communities and a reduction of gun violence.”

Despite his many accomplishments, Silkenat believes there is still work to be done.

“Take leadership roles and be open to opportunities as they come,” he says.

Give in Honor of James Silkenat

Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime AchievementPaul Stillwell ’66

Paul Stillwell ’66

Bachelor of Arts in History

Paul Stillwell is the definition of a Drury legacy. His father Carl was the business manager at Drury College during his boyhood.

“My brother Mark and I were on campus almost from the time we could walk. Dad sold tickets to the basketball games, and we loved going to the games,” he says, describing Drury professors as akin to his family. “So, you see, I had no choice but to come to Drury.”

The obligation to register for the draft loomed as Stillwell prepared to graduate from high school. At his father’s suggestion, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve instead of remaining eligible for the draft. He remembers drilling at the reserve center on the Drury campus every Thursday evening during his time as an undergrad. During summer vacations, he served on board ships and attended the Navy’s Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation, he received a commission as an ensign and was assigned to the tank landing ship U.S.S. Washoe County. The ship was based in Japan and participated in the Vietnam War. He then served on board the battleship U.S.S. New Jersey from May to October 1969.

Stillwell was glad to come home, where he met his future wife, Karen, on a blind date. In 1970, he entered the University of Missouri’s journalism program with the aim of becoming a sportswriter. He later landed a public relations jobs with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club and later the football Cardinals. Both ended prematurely.

Following the ventures in St. Louis, his thesis about public relations and media coverage of the battleship New Jersey during the Vietnam War led indirectly to a job in Annapolis, Maryland. Stillwell worked with the U.S. Naval Institute’s monthly Proceedings magazine from 1974-81, and was the first editor-in-chief of Naval History magazine, where he wrote a column in every issue for 23 years. In 1982, he became the oral historian for the Naval Institute. Eventually he was named director of the institute’s history division and served in that position until 2004.

“In retrospect, I’ve enjoyed my career in naval history more than I would have enjoyed a career in sports,” he says.

The interviewing skills he honed while working for these magazines played a large part in the development of his 13 books on naval topics. “The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers,” brought his the most satisfaction over the years. His father, a former pastor who preached about racial tolerance and understanding, was his mentor and inspiration. Stillwell retired from the reserves in 1992 and completed a 30-year tenure with the institute in 2004.

Stillwell also has plenty of experience as an interviewee. He has appeared in dozens of history interviews and features on channels such as NBC-TV, CNN, the Discovery Channel, ABC, CBS, the History Channel, the Weather Channel and PBS. He also won the Navy League’s annual Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement; the Naval Historical Foundation’s Dudley Knox Award for career achievement in naval history; and the Forrest Pogue Award for excellence in oral history collection.

“My four years at Drury really fostered my social development,” he says. “It was a sense of community that continues to this day.”

Give in Honor of Paul Stillwell

Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement Mack Player ’63

Mack Player ’63

Bachelor of Science in Political Science

During his time at Drury University, Mack Player stepped outside of his comfort zone and said “yes” to new opportunities, even if that meant facing a fear.

“Drury’s faculty pushed me into places I would not have ventured,” he says. “I was terrified of public speaking, but I was prompted by the faculty to enter oratorical contests. And because of a shortage of male actors, I was encouraged to audition for theatrical productions. To my surprise, and horror, I was cast in some major roles. From this often painful experience, I was not able to conquer my fear of public speaking but was able to manage the fear.”

During his acting stint, Player earned the Best Actor Award and for his oratorical talents, he won the first prize in the Ida Knight Carter speech contest for his speech entitled, “What is Success?” Player would go on to see success, on many occasions, both in his law career and in academia. After graduating magna cum laude in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Player went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1965, and his Master of Laws from George Washington University in 1972.

After graduating from law school, Player completed a two-year judicial clerkship with a U.S. Court of Appeals judge and then secured a position as an assistant professor of law at the University of Georgia.

“I was told that my Drury credential impressed both the judge and the university hiring committee,” he says.

During his time at the University of Georgia, Player became a nationally recognized expert in employment discrimination law. He authored numerous articles, published textbooks and co-edited a compilation of federal labor statutes and administrative regulations on the subject. Because of his efforts, Player was named the prestigious honor of Regents Professor.

Player went on to work at the U.S. Department of Labor and then as the Atkinson Professor of Law at Florida State University.

He then spent some time at the U.S. Department of Justice and in 1994, he was appointed dean of the law school at Santa Clara University where he served for nine years. Player attributes his success to his time at Drury.

“Drury provided an environment in which a young man who lacked confidence could grow, develop and refine undiscovered talents,” he says. “Small classes, academic rigor and personal attention prompted me to excel beyond my wildest expectations.”

After serving as dean, Player was named director of Santa Clara University’s Center for Global Law and Policy where he traveled around the world to teach administer programs.

“Drury’s study abroad program in the summer of 1960 opened my eyes to a wide world and instilled in me a passion for international education,” he says.  

After retiring in 2012, he now finds plenty of time to pursue his passion of international travel alongside his wife, Jeanne.

Give in Honor of Mack Player

Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement Audrey Shillington ’82

Audrey Shillington ’82

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and History

Audrey Shillington grew up on a farm in rural Missouri. A first-generation college student, she came to Drury University eager to prove she was prepared to keep up with the demands of her coursework and make an impression.

Shillington says her love of higher education began at Drury. She speaks highly of favorite professors who gave her the confidence to recognize she had something valuable to contribute.

“In my leadership roles I’ve sought out ways to best create a culture of welcoming for students and identify ways to make college accessible and affordable,” she says, of her nearly three decades in higher education.

Before joining the education workforce, Shillington took time after Drury to serve in the Peace Corps. She traveled to Benin, West Africa, and spent nearly three years working with rural communities, women’s groups, building new schools, tutoring children, small animal husbandry and gardening.

“I had been given a rare chance and honor to be part of many people’s lives…a lifelong gift that continues to permeate all I do,” she says.

Upon her return stateside, Shillington earned her Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. There she juggled her rigorous coursework and research projects, and was accepted into the university’s Ph.D. program before her first semester was over.

She worked with adolescents in counseling, eventually incorporating software to better track services and outcomes of treatment plans.

“I found I was consistently consulted by others working with the teens,” she says. “Medical, educational and case workers would all consult with me about planning their work.” This collaboration helped Shillington see how the various aspects of their treatment could – and should – work together and led to her post-doctoral work in social work education within the context of medical school. This work culminated in a Masters in Psychiatric Epidemiology which propelled her toward positions where she could utilize her innovative approach to research.

Shillington was accepted into a National Institutes of Health National Institute of Mental Health post-doctoral fellowship where she had the opportunity to focus solely on research. Next, she took a position teaching full-time, but as her career progressed, she craved a position allowing her to balance her interests in teaching and scholarly work. She found it at San Diego State University, where she was hired as an assistant professor where she spent 15 years researching HIV/AIDS prevention among low-income and underrepresented adolescents and adults. She also collaborated with various faculty members to create a research culture within the School of Social Work, eventually developing the Center for Alcohol and Drug Research Services at SDSU.

By 2020, Shillington was serving as the inaugural dean of the College of Health and Human Services at San Jose State University. She took the position shortly after the university transitioned to fully-remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shillington’s skill in adapting quickly to the changes the pandemic required is one more mark of her innovative leadership. SJU looked to her to lead its School of Nursing through the pandemic, and she delivered with a new mission and vision and successfully raising funds for technology – all while supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the school’s interprofessional education programming.

Give in Honor of Audrey Shillington

Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service Dr. Kayce Morton ’99

Dr. Kayce Morton ’99

Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Chemistry

Dr. Kayce Morton has a heart for children. They are at the center of all she has done and all she still strives to accomplish.

Currently, Morton is pediatric medical director for Jordan Valley Community Health Center and a pediatric hospitalist for CoxHealth. It is in these roles she makes her mark each day.

“It is difficult for me to say that I have been impactful, I hope I have been,” says the Springfield native. “In pediatric hospital medicine, I am working and getting better care for our kids, using evidence-based medicine and quality improvement projects to make sure we are giving the best care in all the places I touch.”

But Morton will be the first to tell you she has “a few too many passions.” Aside from serving numerous boards and committees – including most recent president of the Greene County Medical Society – she tries to lend a hand in areas she can be of most use. That list currently includes the Drew Lewis Foundation, Community Partnership of the Ozarks and its child abuse and neglect taskforce, the Missouri American Academy of Pediatrics and working toward increasing kindergarten readiness and access to early education for the community. She’s also heavily involved in public health vaccine education, tobacco reduction and health equity measures – playing a key role locally in helping pass Tobacco 21, the 2019 federal law prohibiting tobacco sales to anyone under age 21.

“I hope to educate and change the perception of the effects and what it means for our kiddos’ future,” she says. “Tobacco 21 is great, but this needs to apply to all potentially addictive legal drugs. Vaping is our true epidemic and getting into our kids’ schools early. To attack and educate them so they don’t start, is something I am very passionate about.”

As a community leader in southwest Missouri, Morten feels it’s her duty as a health care provider to set the example. She admits it isn’t always easy, but has become a point of pride for her.

“I truly believe if you show up you show out, what you do affects others,” she says. “Especially during COVID, giving information in interviews, doing commercials, talking on podcasts and even posting on my social media was well received. I kept it informational and factual and lots of people reached out to me thanking me for that. It is a lot of pressure to make sure you are doing the right thing all of the time, and I don’t, but I always try. You never know when action or kind advice can be the thing that makes a difference in someone’s life or trajectory.”

Give in Honor of Kayce Morton

Distinguished Alumni Award for Young AlumniBrandy Enver Harris ’08

Brandy Enver Harris ’08

Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication

Brandy Enver Harris is Captain Springfield – quite literally. The CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield is so connected to her community, the community named her the fifth annual Captain Springfield – a designation bestowed by readers of the Springfield News-Leader on someone who personifies what makes the Queen City great.

“It is very important to me I maintain a close connection,” she says. “I have worked very hard to ensure people who need access to our services have it. I have also worked hard to ensure people in this community know about Boys & Girls Clubs.”

Harris began her professional career as a high school teacher at her alma mater, but quickly joined the Boys & Girls Clubs movement – where she’s been unstoppable since.

She started in Lawrence, Kansas, in a number of both front-line and leadership roles before coming home to Springfield in 2013, where she’s worked from program director through unit director and up to her current role as head of the organization.

While Harris has a laundry list of boards she’s served and awards she’s won, it’s her leadership she speaks the most about it. It’s ever-changing, evolving and, in so doing, bettering the Boys & Girls Clubs with each step.

“Leadership is both rewarding and challenging. I truly believe the best leaders adapt their styles based on need, circumstance and audience,” she says. “There have been moments in my career where my leadership takes the form of an active listener … without the intent to respond.”

She spent six months listening to club members, parents, donors, teachers, partners, board members, staff and more to craft a strategic direction for the club. This resulted in applying for and receiving a $822,000 grant and opening four clubs inside local schools.

“There have been moments in my career where my leadership takes the form of an informed decision maker,” she says. “In March 2020, we made the difficult decision to close our doors to help ensure the safety of our members. We did not know enough about COVID-19 and believed it was the best decision, but that did not stop our operation.

“While the world looked and felt very different, our mission remained the same. So, on March 18, we closed our doors. But on March 19, we opened new ones.”

During pandemic response and recovery phase, the club supported over 600 families and 868 children, provided over 44,000 meals, conducted over 3,000 wellness checks, distributed 1,570+ health and hygiene items and much more.

“There have been moments in my career where my leadership takes the form of a trusted, strategic partner,” she says. “Our job is far too important to let egos get in the way. I will always surround myself with people who play to my weaknesses.”

Harris has propelled the Boys & Girls Clubs forward through millions in capital campaign dollars secured, programs started and children helped.
“Brandy is a transformational leader in that she leads a team by sharing a vision,” says Jeff Long, club director of safety and compliance. “Brandy helps her followers discover their strengths and then empowers them …moving the Boys & Girls Clubs from good to great.”

Give in Honor of Brandy Enver Harris

 

Distinguished Alumni Award for Young AlumniTiara Hughes ’15

Tiara Hughes ’15

Master of Architecture

Tiara Hughes is forging her own path. A 2015 graduate from the Hammons School of Architecture, she’s made a name for herself in the industry and in her community by pushing boundaries, asking questions and stepping up as a leader.

“Since my time at Drury, my experience has led me to advocate for and engage young designers,” she says. “Through my advocacy and volunteer work, I have had the ability to impact communities I care about in positive ways.”

One such way is through her organization FIRST 500, which she launched in 2018. FIRST 500 raises awareness and brings Black women in architecture together by providing resources and inspiration.

“Throughout the early years of my career, I felt there were few people who were able to provide me with the kind of guidance I needed as a young Black woman in architecture. That ultimately impacted my decision to create the very resource I felt was missing,” says Hughes.

Hughes continues her diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the prestigious Skidmore, Owings & Merrill firm, where she is a senior urban designer. There, she proposed and established the Equity Action Committee to foster a more equitable workplace.

She also brings her commitment full circle, progressing efforts toward equity for current Drury University students. As a graduate, Hughes worked alongside faculty and fellow alumni to create the Drury HSA JEDI  – Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion – Alumni Advisory Council. HSA JEDI aims to advocate, empower and counsel Drury architecture students through mentoring and internships opportunities.

“Creating positive change takes time, but I’ve been able to use my knowledge and position to carve a path for others in the architecture, engineering and construction industries and Black communities,” she says.

Some of her other work includes serving on the Chicago Landmarks Commission, directly impacting properties in Chicago with historic ties to Black and brown communities. One such property she advocated for was the structure that served as Emmitt Till’s childhood home. Hughes’ dedication and passion for mentorship and building community is further exemplified through her active involvement with the Illinois chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects’ Design Build summer camp, Architecture, Construction, Engineering Mentorship Program, NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics competition and her adjunct professorship at Illinois Institute of Technology.

“In the last few years, it has become clear to me this advocacy work continues to deepen my impact as a designer, leader and activist,” says Hughes. “I am deeply grateful for the support and recognition that I’ve received from leaders across the industry.”

Give in Honor of Tiara Hughes

 

Distinguished Alumni Award for Faculty Appreciation Dr. Allin Sorenson

Dr. Allin Sorenson

Associate provost and dean of the School of Communication, Fine and Preforming Arts

Name a faculty leadership position at Drury University – odds are Allin Sorenson has held it during his 35-year and counting tenure.

From department chair to acting dean, interim dean and associate provost, to current dean of two departments, Sorenson has become a go-to leader for the university.

“I enjoy the challenges,” says the administrator. “I have worked to create an environment where ideas can be expressed without fear, and have discovered through this free exchange, a variety of innovative and creative solutions that may not have surfaced otherwise.”

Sorenson hasn’t only held a variety of administration and faculty roles, he’s served on numerous university boards and committees, implemented a marching band program, helped secure a $1 million donation for the renovation of Clara Thompson Hall, administered study aboard programs and shepherded the university through the accreditation process – all while tirelessly serving as a faithful advocate for the arts in all he does.

“Through developing relationships with students, alumni and faculty colleagues, both at Drury and other institutions, I hope to foster an awareness of the importance the arts play in our lives. I have served on various boards and committees in Springfield and the state that promote and advocate for the arts at the local and state levels and encourage students of all ages to embrace their artistic abilities without fear or judgment,” he says. “I am committed to the liberal arts but understand the importance professional programs have in today’s society. This integration of professional and liberal learning is critical.”

Despite it all, Sorenson always comes back to his center – teaching.

“(I) find that my strengths lie in helping faculty and students achieve their full potential,” he says. “As a teacher, I have enjoyed the variety of courses and artistic challenges presented to me. I have broadened my teaching to include FUSE 101, 102 and other courses outside my discipline, allowing me to interact with students across campus and give me greater insights into issues that impact all our students.”

Sorenson came to Drury in 1988 to teach music and direct the choirs and was promoted to a full professor in 2005. As the director of choral activities, he worked to build a vibrant choral program and led several study abroad trips with the choir singing in some of the most renown venues in the world and exposing students to a variety of cultures and musical traditions. He’s still in the music classroom today. In addition to freshman FUSE courses, he teaches music appreciation and applied voice and others.

“Teaching is my first love, and I believe that all forms of administration should support that for which we exist, namely the education of our students,” he says. “Academic funding, scholarship and service must support teaching before all others.

“In these days of tight budgets, priorities must be set and I believe excellence in teaching, as well as scholarship that informs that teaching, are crucial for our continued relevance to outside constituencies.”

Give in Honor of Allin Sorenson

Distinguished Alumni Award for Special Merit Don and Ruth Martin ’56/’54

Don and Ruth Martin ’56/’54

Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Alumni visiting the Drury University campus are familiar with the Martin Alumni Center – home to university Advancement staff and the heart of campus alumni operations. Formerly the old Sigma Nu fraternity house, returning visitors have enjoyed the renovated space thanks to Don and Ruth Martin.

The couple met at Drury as undergrads before marrying and setting out on a life of adventure together. Not only did the pair raise four children, but enjoyed extensive travels in Europe and Asia, well as favorite weekends on Table Rock Lake.

Don comes from a long line of entrepreneurs – his father began the E.A. Martin Co., a Caterpillar sales business that would become a regional empire – at the height of the depression in 1929. Despite the success, his father also put family and community first.

“On several occasions he would remind me the community had been very good to us so we in turn should be good to it,” Don says, noting the philosophy has marked his life and career.

The Martins returned to Springfield after Don was released from active duty in the U.S. Air Force. They both went to work at E.A. Martin – Ruth as the secretary treasurer and Don as the general parts manager.

“I spent a lot of time in my early years at the office doing chores that others didn’t want to do,” he recalls. “If I had one main contribution to the company, I feel that it has been in the area of facilities.”

In fact, over the course of his years with E.A. Martin, Don oversaw some of the biggest changes including adding the machinery shop, John Martin Industrial Equipment company, expanding the Caterpillar business’s product lines and opening Ozark Mountain Rentals.

Over the years, the couple took the elder Martin’s advice about serving the community. Don served on the first Springfield community planning council, which later dissolved and became the UnitedWay. He was president of the CoxHealth board, and president of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks board. There he helped established The Martin Family Fund, which makes grants to nonprofits in southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. Ruth served as the administrator for this fund, overseeing grant requests. Ruth also was a member of the Springfield Symphony Guild and a charter member of Highland Springs Country Club.

“I grew up knowing that you should become involved in the community in which you live and earn a living,” he said.

The Martins carried on the family tradition of bringing up their children in the business when their own sons came along. Each one came in to work while they were still young, just as their father had.

“My personal objective was to see the E.A. Martin Co. reach 100 years in business, which it did in September 2015,” Don said.

Editor’s note: After being interviewed for this article, Ruth Martin passed away on Jan. 17. The following is an excerpt from her obituary:

Ruth Doris “Kallemeier” Martin, 90, passed away on Jan. 17, 2023, in Rogersville, Missouri. Ruth was born in St. Louis, on Sept. 12, 1932, to Raymond C. and Anna Kallemeier.

Ruth lived a long life full of faith in God and love for her family and neighbor. Music was very important to her, from playing piano as a young girl to just relaxing at home playing her Lowery organ.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 70 years, Donald Martin, Sr., and four sons: Donald Martin, Jr., Charles Martin, David Martin and John Martin.

Give in Honor of Don and Ruth Martin

Past Distinguished Award Winners

Lifetime Achievement

  • 2015 Ralph K. Manley ’49
  • 2016 Dr. Sue Carter Porges ‘66
  • 2017 Warren B. Davis ’59
  • 2018 James & Marilyn Bogle Buchholz ‘57/’62
  • 2020 Dr. Nathaniel Quinn, JR. ’80
  • 2021 Dr. Earl Hackett ’53

University Engagement

  • 1952 Dean James F. McKinley ’25
  • 1957 Helen Wiemer James ’29
  • 1957 Robert Cummings ’32
  • 1957 James Hartford Robertson ’36
  • 1958 Bert Goss ’28
  • 1958 Rev. Thomas Shipp ’41
  • 1959 Dr. George Melcher ’26
  • 1960 Margaret Johnson Bosworth ’45
  • 1960 Rev. Don Newby ’47
  • 1964 R. William Greer ’39
  • 1964 Connie Hjelmeng Johnson ’64
  • 1965 David Brand Woodruff ’38
  • 1966 Thornton Smith ’36
  • 1967 James Trig Brown ’46
  • 1968 William Collinson ’33
  • 1968 Edgar E. Martin ’33
  • 1968 David Weiser ’42
  • 1969 William C. Hayes ’41
  • 1971 Henry C. Duncan ’43
  • 1971 Marvin VanGilder ’48
  • 1972 Clarence R. Haflinger ’38
  • 1972 Robert Heimburger ’39
  • 1972 John B. Haseltine ’60
  • 1973 Elizabeth Grinstead Mallory ’31
  • 1974 Durward Hall ’30
  • 1974 John K. Hulston ’36
  • 1976 James Findlay ’52
  • 1978 Frank Ross ’25
  • 1978 Maurice Wilson ’28
  • 1978 F. Marian Bishop ’49
  • 1979 Flavius Freeman ’32
  • 1981 Dr. Oscar Fryer ’25
  • 1983 Allen V. Eikner ’49
  • 1984 Henry S. Schneider ’49
  • 1985 Ray Aton ’37
  • 1986 Hilbert Keisker ’26
  • 1987 Wallace Springer ’47
  • 1989 Helen Jones Stoneman ’28
  • 1989 Harold Stoneman ’33
  • 1990 Janet Steinmetz Trotter ’53
  • 1990 Marthe Drummond Close ’57
  • 1990 Barbara Cook Hall ’57
  • 1991 Thomas S. Gambill ’49
  • 1993 Sally Bodlovich Tharp ’90
  • 1995 Joel N. Gamel ’40
  • 1997 Patsy Witherspoon Poulos ’47
  • 1998 Don Akers ’48
  • 1999 William E. Pettit ’42
  • 2000 John R. Johnson ’55
  • 2001 Lyle D. Reed ’70
  • 2001 John D. Beuerlein ’76
  • 2008 Lewis T. “Johnny” Johnson
  • 2015 John William (Bill) Ricketts, MBA ’71
  • 2016 Steven D. Edwards ‘88
  • 2017 Gail “Gene” Summers ’63
  • 2018 Dr. Thomas Lynch ’65
  • 2020 Beth Pile ’80

Outstanding Community Service

  • 1959 J. Charles Grosskreutz ’43
  • 1961 Leonard F. Bush ’31
  • 1961 Mary Jane Pool ’46
  • 1969 Virgil E. Fieker ’47
  • 1969 Walter H. Hoffman ’39
  • 1976 Charles H. Brown ’41
  • 1978 Helen Koch
  • 1980 Donald Ray Hodge ’61
  • 1981 John C. Herweg ’43
  • 1982 Leeson C. Meador
  • 1985 Donald C. Dailey
  • 1986 Mitsuo Aoki ’40
  • 1987 Rev. Robert H. Challinor ’47
  • 1988 Ben Parnell ’39
  • 1989 Betty Jane Rathbone Turner ’45
  • 1990 H. Wes Pratt ’73
  • 1991 Ralph Turner ’31
  • 1991 Mary Rose Sweeney ’41
  • 1992 Vernon K. Ausherman ’42
  • 1992 Eleanor Barstow White ’64, ’70 MEd
  • 1993 Charles Sheppard ’41
  • 1994 Dale Creach ’63
  • 1994 Ormal Creach
  • 1996 Hope E. Harris ’43, ’57 MEd
  • 1996 Rosemary Sullivan Bane ’46
  • 1997 Dr. James W. Clawson
  • 1998 Carolyn Lambert Teter ’73
  • 1999 Dorothy Gay Warren ’47
  • 1999 W. Warren Kallenbach ’49
  • 2001 Joan E. Gilmore ’51
  • 2002 Bill H. Cantrell ’42
  • 2003 Jean Short Coday ’52
  • 2003 David Clohessy ’78
  • 2004 John H. Simmons ’60
  • 2004 Drury Women’s Auxiliary 
  • 2005 Mona Tourlentes ’50
  • 2006 Marcia Williams Johnson ’70
  • 2006 Darline Dill
  • 2008 Lewis T. “Johnny” Johnson
  • 2009 Kirk Presley ’80
  • 2010 Patsy Shean Summers ’64
  • 2011 Rev. David L. Scott ’79
  • 2012 Carolyn B. Cotta ’60
  • 2013 Mark L. Walker ’79
  • 2014 Eunice Schmiechen Wallar ’63
  • 2015 Mary Faith Buresh Holzer ’68
  • 2016 Janet Steinmetz Trotter ‘53
  • 2017 Raymond E. Hackett ’80
  • 2018 Thomas W. Stevens ’59
  • 2020 Roye Cole ’03, ’04, ’11 MBA 
  • 2021 Robert Malone ’56

Career Achievement

  • 1944 Edward L. Clark ’29
  • 1951 Jean Laubenheim Shephard ’12
  • 1951 Kenneth B. Elliott ’16
  • 1951 William A. Beiderlinden ’17
  • 1951 Lester E. Cox ’18
  • 1952 Marion Hines ’13
  • 1952 Erwin E. Nelson ’14
  • 1952 James E. Ruffin ’16
  • 1953 Faye Steinmetz ’10
  • 1953 Harry A. Shuder ’11
  • 1953 Arthur “Duff” Allen ’13
  • 1953 Edward Mason ’14
  • 1954 John T. White ’16
  • 1954 Louise Trimble Foster ’18
  • 1954 Paul W. Barrett ’24
  • 1954 Frank McDowell ’32
  • 1955 Dora Beggs Shields ’07
  • 1955 Joseph Williams ’11
  • 1955 Otto C. Egdorf ’20
  • 1955 Paul Leonard ’25
  • 1956 Warren White ’04
  • 1956 William Knight ’07
  • 1956 Otto Smith ’07
  • 1956 Reba Staggs ’34
  • 1957 Walter Brunkhorst ’17
  • 1957 David Robertson ’32
  • 1958 David McKnight ’28
  • 1959 Samuel Dawson ’21
  • 1959 Rollin Gillespie ’30
  • 1960 Walter Thompson ’28
  • 1960 Bob Barker ’47
  • 1961 Morris E. Garnsey ’28
  • 1961 Gordon A. Riley ’33
  • 1962 Bruce Joseph Brown ’15
  • 1962 Guy Raynor Hill ’27
  • 1962 Charles F. Robinson’36
  • 1962 Jeanne Meador Schwarz ’37
  • 1963 Allan S. Humphreys ’10
  • 1963 Lois Hall ’14
  • 1963 Dorsey D. Jones ’20
  • 1964 C. Robert Mitchell ’30
  • 1965 Virgil W. Adkisson ’25
  • 1966 Helen Malin Reuber ’29
  • 1967 Joseph King Vivion ’16
  • 1967 William D. Hackett ’36
  • 1968 Archie Russell ’39
  • 1968 Lois Jennings DeNauw ’50
  • 1970 Eugene Everett ’48
  • 1973 Adelaide Haseltine Jones ’24
  • 1973 Ralph K. Manley ’49, ’69 MBA
  • 1973 William C. Virdon ’53
  • 1973 Mary Ruth Cuddy ’59, ’62 MEd
  • 1974 Minnie Mae Prescott ’28
  • 1975 William Fred Schaeffer ’33
  • 1975 Betty Cole Dukert ’49
  • 1975 Rabbi Walter Jacob ’50
  • 1975 Ralph L. Andreano ’52
  • 1976 R. R. Watson ’25
  • 1976 Billie Crawford Davis ’61
  • 1977 J. York Johnson ’25
  • 1977 James Ewing ’38
  • 1977 Frank W. Clippinger ’48
  • 1978 F. Marion Bishop ’49
  • 1978 Delmar E. Caywood ’55
  • 1978 James R. Buchholz ’57
  • 1979 John Geyer ’29
  • 1979 Robert McKinnell ’49
  • 1979 Sandra Kennon Harrison ’61
  • 1980 Leonard C. Pronko ’47
  • 1980 Carol Junge Loomis ’51
  • 1980 Jeanine Smith ’63
  • 1980 Jerry Von Rohr ’66
  • 1981 John P. Edwards ’47
  • 1981 David Harrison ’59
  • 1981 Susanne Logan O’Neal ’53
  • 1982 Dorothy Van Dyke Leake ’14
  • 1982 John T. Carlson ’51
  • 1983 C. Truman Steele ’34
  • 1984 David E. Sweet ’55
  • 1986 Gary L. Matthews ’60
  • 1987 Sterling Newberry ’37
  • 1988 Jerry Poe ’53
  • 1988 Willard Graves, Jr. ’62
  • 1989 John W. Hammon ’64
  • 1990 Emily Haymes ’61
  • 1991 Richard C. Dunn ’58
  • 1991 Margaret H. Cooper ’66
  • 1992 Robert H. Hurlbutt ’47
  • 1992 Kenneth L. Fitts ’67
  • 1993 Donald C. Flesche ’56
  • 1993 J. Regan Thomas ’68
  • 1994 Charles E. Fritz ’42
  • 1994 Georgia Clark Sadler ’62
  • 1994 J. William Langston ’65
  • 1994 Fred S. Gorelick ’70
  • 1995 Andrew Jackson Wann ’40
  • 1996 Nancy Hasler Watsling ’46
  • 1996 Ellen Gray Massey ’60 MEd
  • 1997 Rev. Elton O. Smith ’50
  • 1997 Larry Wallis ’66
  • 1998 Thomas R. Whitlock ’76
  • 1999 Tom Kellogg ’58
  • 1999 Richard French ’59
  • 2000 James R. Silkenat ’69
  • 2001 John D. Burczak ’76
  • 2002 Michael Mallory ’77
  • 2003 Revs. John and Paula Bowman Sandford ’51/’53
  • 2003 Russell Robinson ’74
  • 2004 Dr. William R. Schiller ’58
  • 2005 Paul Stillwell ’66
  • 2007 Jerry L Redfern ’57
  • 2007 Dr. Carol Gevecker Graves ’62
  • 2008 Dorothy “Dottie” Dillard ’45
  • 2008 Lisa Farmer ’82
  • 2009 Judge H. Dean Whipple ’61
  • 2010 Walter George ’79
  • 2011 Dr. D. Greg Farwell ’90
  • 2012 Dr. Ilene K. Gipson ’66
  • 2013 Curtis L. Dinan ’89
  • 2014 Kim Harrison Hamm ’86
  • 2015 Dr. Heidi Prather Bradley ’87
  • 2016 Dr. Calla Wiemer ‘77
  • 2017 S. David Gohn ’64
  • 2018 Dwayne Holden ’64
  • 2020 Rex Bright ’62
  • 2021 Cmdr. Anna Santoro ’06

Young Alumni

  • 1976 Marcia Mobley Mitchell ’67
  • 1977 Frances Presley Rice ’73
  • 1978 Mark Anschutz ’66
  • 1979 Glenn Richardson ’65
  • 1985 Sue Carter Porges ’66
  • 1985 Brian Gendece ’79
  • 1987 James Wesley Mitchell ’73, ’81 MEd
  • 1990 Susan West ’75
  • 1991 Wayne Schrier ’75
  • 1992 Susan Montgomery McCammon ’73
  • 1993 Michele Reeves Smith ’88
  • 1995 Charlotte C. Hardin ’85
  • 1997 James R. Dunlap ’84
  • 2001 Brian R. Reynolds ’83
  • 2004 Karen L. Williams ’85
  • 2005 Marci Bowling ’95
  • 2008 Michael Wehrenberg ’99
  • 2011 Amber B. Campbell ’98
  • 2012 Christopher B. Kennedy ’99
  • 2013 Sarah Lester Wilkerson ’01
  • 2014 Nathan Pettyjohn ’01
  • 2015 Cliff Johnson ’03
  • 2016 Dr. Adam McClellan ’05
  • 2017 Lauren Holtkamp ’03
  • 2018 Meg Myers Morgan ‘05
  • 2020 Dr. Laura Waters ’05, ’19 MBA 
  • 2021 Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, ’05

Faculty/Staff Appreciation

  • 1986 Dr. Lora Bond, Biology
  • 1987 Dr. W. Curtis Strube, Business Administration
  • 1988 Dr. Willard Graves ’33, Mathematics
  • 1989 Dr. Jorge Padron, Chemistry
  • 1990 Dr. Charles Mercer, Accounting
  • 1991 Dr. Victor Agruso, Psychology
  • 1992 Dr. Ruth Bamberger, Political Science
  • 1993 Dr. Rabin Roy, Chemistry
  • 1994 Dr. Richard D. Killough, Philosophy and Religion
  • 1995 Dr. Richard Mears, Language and Literature
  • 1996 Dr. Tijuana Julian ’81, Music
  • 1997 Dr. Harriett Mears, Art
  • 1998 Dr. William D. Rohlf, Jr., Economics
  • 1999 Dr. Wayne Holmes, Literature
  • 2000 Dr. Joseph P. McAdoo, Communication
  • 2001 Dr. Peter D. Browning, Philosophy and Religion
  • 2002 Dr. Harvey Asher, History
  • 2003 Eltjen Flikkema, Ph.D., German, Literature, Director of Honors Program
  • 2004 Joyce A. Roberts, Special Instructor of Dance and Choreography/Dramatics Productions
  • 2005 Dr. Thomas E. Russo, Art
  • 2006 Dr. Barbara Wing, Biology
  • 2007 Dr. Donald Weber, Physics
  • 2008 Dr. Penny Clayton ’83 MBA, Accounting
  • 2009 Dudley Murphy, Design Arts
  • 2010 Alkis Tsolakis, Architecture
  • 2011 Dr. Lisa M. Esposito, Philosophy and Religion
  • 2015 Daniel Cashel, Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement
  • 2016 Traci Sooter, Architecture
  • 2017 Judi Grier Thompson ’61, University Advancement
  • 2018 Dr. Bruce Callen
  • 2020 Larry W. Hughes 
  • 2021 Dr. Regina Waters

Special Merit

  • 1992 Mercedes Freeman Smith ’89
  • 2000 William Dannevik ’66
  • 2001 Ronald Neville ’69
  • 2002 Betty Herndon Meyer ’40

Special 2021 Covid-19 Response Recognition

  • Steven Bard ’19
  • Alison (Cronkhite) Brainaird ’00
  • Jennifer (Johnson) Cole ’98
  • Bruce Dart ’77
  • Steven D. Edwards ’88
  • Susan Mathern ’86 MBA ’89
  • Scott Moore ’17
  • Cora (Durbin) Scott ’90