Panther Tracks
1970s
Dr. Nancy Tisdale O’Reilly ’71 (Springfield, Missouri) was recognized at the 2025 Women of the Year event hosted by the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge for her outstanding leadership and contributions. Nancy was also honored as the 2025 Community Leader of the Year. A dedicated philanthropist, author, and educator, she continues to inspire positive change through her work and advocacy.
1980s
Lou “Jeannie” Livingston ’88 (Bonner Springs, Kansas) retired after 32 years of civil service with the U.S. Army.
1990s
David “Dave” Townsend ’97 (Columbia, Missouri) has been inducted as the American Land Title Association (ALTA) president for the 2025-26 association year.
Zora Mulligan ’98 (West Plains, Missouri) has been awarded the 2025 Civic Leader of the Year by the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge.
Christopher “Chris” Kennedy ’99
MBA ’00 (Palm Springs, California) has been included in the “Designer’s Today Magazine Power List 50 for 2025.”
Michael Wehrenberg ’99 (Springfield, Missouri) was selected as a 2025 Trusted Advisor by the Springfield Business Journal.
2000s
Manden Loomer Matz ’00 (Springfield, Missouri) won the Turner Reading Teacher of the Year in May 2025.
Kristin Ross ’08 and Cassandra “Cassie” Evans Wilson ’00 MEd ’04 (Waynesville, Missouri) were recognized by the Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) for their summer book mobile.
Nathan Pettyjohn ’01 (Mountain View, California) wrote 2-Day Workweek, a new book now available on Amazon. It offers a three-part framework using AI, mindset shifts, and systems to help readers accomplish more in less time and redefine their work-life balance.
Tracy Morgan Humphrey ’01 (Southaven, Mississippi) was promoted to Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis School of Social Work.
Mary “Maggie” McConnell Sellars ’02 (Denver, Colorado) opened private practice in Denver specializing in grief, loss, and caregiver support.
Sarah Montgomery ’09 MComm ’12 (Los Angeles, California) was named to Billboard’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list, which recognizes young executives shaping the future of the music industry. At Full Stop Management, she helps guide the legacies of iconic artists like Bon Jovi and Tears for Fears, using live performances, sync licensing, and social media to reach new audiences, while also championing rising stars like Lizzo and JADE.
2010s
Conrad Remington ’12 (Austin, Texas) was recently appointed project manager at the Municipal Advisory Council of Texas in April 2025.
Kunti Senesi Bentley ’14 MComm (Springfield, Missouri) was recently named Director of Student Support Services at Drury University.
2020s
Kayla Warner ’21 MComm ’23 (Springfield, Missouri) was named Director of Alumni Relations at Drury University.
Rachel Tripp ’24 MNCL (Springfield, Missouri) was recently named Community Impact Manager at Community Foundation of the Ozarks.
Marriages
Alejandra Rivera ’21 to Sergio Ortega
Lynn Markle ’80 to William “Bill” Nipps ’82
Alix Chronister ’21 to Sage Kaneko ’21
William Walser ’13 to Cristiane Nava-McKay ’13
Rebecca Anderson ’12 to Matt Smith
Austin “Max” Prater ’17 to Mackenzie “Macksi” Nichting
Births & Adoptions
Adam Michael Hynds to Steven Hynds ’16 and Victoria “Tori” Lemmon Hynds ’16
Greyson and Olivia Miers to Gage E. Miers ’15
Poppy Laoise McMillan to Zachary “Zac” McMillian ’06 MEd ’15 and Callie McMillian
Deaths
Mary “Patt” Hoff Ritenour ’46
William Budd Sr. ’49
Robert “Bob” McKinnell ’49
Ralph Andreano ’52
Boyd Geer ’52
Mary Gabbert Freund ’53
Lucille Mann Koesterer ’53
William “Bill” Chapman ’55
Celeste Moon Groce ’55
Beverly Jones Zimmerman ’55
Janice “Jan” Mantle Harrison ’56
Linda Nicholson Abney ’57
Arthur “Art” Blume III ’58 MEd ’70
Leland Brown ’58
John “Dick” Hart ’58
Carol Hurtgen Jaudes ’58
Grace Cobb Pursley ’58 MEd
Robert Bates ’59
David “Dave” Dillingham ’59
Jerry Burwell ’60
Paul Coltharp ’60
Anne Long Davis ’61
Twila Welton Collins ’62
Don Livingston Jr. ’62
Michael “Mike” Diffenderffer ’64
Emry Dilday ’64
Bill Bacon ’65 MBA
Anthony Kendrick ’65
Judith “Judi” Rogers Knight ’65
Ruth “Anne” Holdren Moyer ’65
Linda Stewart Pogue ’65
Ouida Stakes Steinkamp ’65
Robert Stone ’65
William Van Cleave Jr. ’65
Katherine “Katy” Kinlock Baldi ’66
Jeanette Herman Craig ’66 MEd
Robert “Ed” Smith ’66
Robert Glover ’67
Stephen Rhea ’67
Freda “Freda Mae” Abney
Meredith ’68 MEd
William Pennington ’68
Patricia Harron Blanton ’69
Marilynn Miller Charlton ’70
Charles Garrett ’70
David Dawson ’71 MEd
Edward “Ed” McKenna Jr. ’71
Doyle White ’71 MBA
Carroll Leffler ’72
Mary “Beth” Clark Deering ’73 MEd ’81
Lowell Keltner ’73 MEd
Sheryl Hess Letterman ’73
Kathryn Donati Clark ’74 MEd
Nadine Dykman Melgren ’74 MEd ’74
Micky Davies ’75
Susie Tidwell Graham ’75 MEd ’88
William “Bill” Grier ’75 MEd
Thomas Snodgrass ’75 MEd
Christopher Woolsey ’75
James Blair ’76
Virginia Stauffacher ’76 MEd ’85
Scott Yarbrough ’76
Don Pippin Jr. ’77
Martha “Rosalyn” Maddox
George ’78 MEd
Ronald Greenwood ’78
Beth Roaseau ’79
George Blowers ’81 MEd
Bruce Farner ’81
Carmen Boes Munday ’82
James Harmon ’83
Julia Smith ’84 MEd
Barbara “Barb” Burr Muhs ’85
Betty Owen ’85 MBA
Stuart Walsworth ’89
Sandra “Sandy” Wilson Reese ’92
John Black ’93
James Carnes ’93
Debroah Thurman Hicks ’93 MLS
Catherine Coffman ’94 MBA
Kathryn “Katie” Kobbermann ’99
Kevin Muxlow ’99
Jason “Jay” Bartelsmeyer ’01
Tammy Chaney Johnston ’02
Mary Bonnarens Helsley ’05
Neil Adams ’15 MFA
Constance Bolinger Garcia ’16
James “Jim” R. Spangler ’61
James “Jim” R. Spangler ’61, a devoted Drury alumnus and longtime trustee, passed away on January 9, 2025, at the age of 85. Born June 3, 1939, in Newark, Ohio, to Robert and Lillian Spangler, Jim graduated from Drury with a degree in Business Administration and married Patricia Dailey ’61 in 1962, beginning a lifelong partnership grounded in love and service.
Jim built a distinguished career in healthcare, founding Helping Hand Nursing Service and the Helping Hand Autistic Center, and later serving as President and CEO of Helping Hand Home Health Company in Grand Blanc, Michigan. A leader and philanthropist, he also served with the Flint Institute of Music, the Michigan Humane Society, and the Metamora Hunt.
As a Drury trustee and later an emeritus member, Jim advanced the university’s mission with insight, generosity, and care. His life reflected enduring values of leadership, compassion, and dedication.
Jim and Patt have generously supported Drury over the years, which culminated in their gift to name the Spangler Concert Hall in Clara Thompson funding renovations to the historic concert hall.
Ronald Lee “Ron” Walsworth ’58
Ronald Lee “Ron” Walsworth ’58, a proud Drury alumnus and longtime member of the Board of Trustees, passed away surrounded by family. Born in Springfield, Missouri, in 1935, Ron graduated from Central High School at 16 and earned dual degrees in Economics and Geology from Drury. In 1958, he married his childhood sweetheart, Judith Ann Moore of Ozark, beginning 67 years of devoted partnership.
After serving as a U.S. Navy officer, Ron built a distinguished career in leadership roles at Polaroid, Ideal Toy Corporation, and Berkey Photo. His sharp intellect, humor, and mentorship inspired countless colleagues and friends.
A Drury trustee from 1987 to 2008 and later an emeritus member, Ron embodied the university’s ideals of integrity, curiosity, and service. His influence endures through his family, community, and alma mater.
Panther Tracks
1970s
Dr. Nancy Tisdale O’Reilly ’71 (Springfield, Missouri) was recognized at the 2025 Women of the Year event hosted by the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge for her outstanding leadership and contributions. Nancy was also honored as the 2025 Community Leader of the Year. A dedicated philanthropist, author, and educator, she continues to inspire positive change through her work and advocacy.
1980s
Lou “Jeannie” Livingston ’88 (Bonner Springs, Kansas) retired after 32 years of civil service with the U.S. Army.
1990s
David “Dave” Townsend ’97 (Columbia, Missouri) has been inducted as the American Land Title Association (ALTA) president for the 2025-26 association year.
Zora Mulligan ’98 (West Plains, Missouri) has been awarded the 2025 Civic Leader of the Year by the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge.
Christopher “Chris” Kennedy ’99
MBA ’00 (Palm Springs, California) has been included in the “Designer’s Today Magazine Power List 50 for 2025.”
Michael Wehrenberg ’99 (Springfield, Missouri) was selected as a 2025 Trusted Advisor by the Springfield Business Journal.
2000s
Manden Loomer Matz ’00 (Springfield, Missouri) won the Turner Reading Teacher of the Year in May 2025.
Kristin Ross ’08 and Cassandra “Cassie” Evans Wilson ’00 MEd ’04 (Waynesville, Missouri) were recognized by the Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) for their summer book mobile.
Nathan Pettyjohn ’01 (Mountain View, California) wrote 2-Day Workweek, a new book now available on Amazon. It offers a three-part framework using AI, mindset shifts, and systems to help readers accomplish more in less time and redefine their work-life balance.
Tracy Morgan Humphrey ’01 (Southaven, Mississippi) was promoted to Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis School of Social Work.
Mary “Maggie” McConnell Sellars ’02 (Denver, Colorado) opened private practice in Denver specializing in grief, loss, and caregiver support.
Sarah Montgomery ’09 MComm ’12 (Los Angeles, California) was named to Billboard’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list, which recognizes young executives shaping the future of the music industry. At Full Stop Management, she helps guide the legacies of iconic artists like Bon Jovi and Tears for Fears, using live performances, sync licensing, and social media to reach new audiences, while also championing rising stars like Lizzo and JADE.
2010s
Conrad Remington ’12 (Austin, Texas) was recently appointed project manager at the Municipal Advisory Council of Texas in April 2025.
Kunti Senesi Bentley ’14 MComm (Springfield, Missouri) was recently named Director of Student Support Services at Drury University.
2020s
Kayla Warner ’21 MComm ’23 (Springfield, Missouri) was named Director of Alumni Relations at Drury University.
Rachel Tripp ’24 MNCL (Springfield, Missouri) was recently named Community Impact Manager at Community Foundation of the Ozarks.
Marriages
Alejandra Rivera ’21 to Sergio Ortega
Lynn Markle ’80 to William “Bill” Nipps ’82
Alix Chronister ’21 to Sage Kaneko ’21
William Walser ’13 to Cristiane Nava-McKay ’13
Rebecca Anderson ’12 to Matt Smith
Austin “Max” Prater ’17 to Mackenzie “Macksi” Nichting
Births & Adoptions
Adam Michael Hynds to Steven Hynds ’16 and Victoria “Tori” Lemmon Hynds ’16
Greyson and Olivia Miers to Gage E. Miers ’15
Poppy Laoise McMillan to Zachary “Zac” McMillian ’06 MEd ’15 and Callie McMillian
Deaths
Mary “Patt” Hoff Ritenour ’46
William Budd Sr. ’49
Robert “Bob” McKinnell ’49
Ralph Andreano ’52
Boyd Geer ’52
Mary Gabbert Freund ’53
Lucille Mann Koesterer ’53
William “Bill” Chapman ’55
Celeste Moon Groce ’55
Beverly Jones Zimmerman ’55
Janice “Jan” Mantle Harrison ’56
Linda Nicholson Abney ’57
Arthur “Art” Blume III ’58 MEd ’70
Leland Brown ’58
John “Dick” Hart ’58
Carol Hurtgen Jaudes ’58
Grace Cobb Pursley ’58 MEd
Robert Bates ’59
David “Dave” Dillingham ’59
Jerry Burwell ’60
Paul Coltharp ’60
Anne Long Davis ’61
Twila Welton Collins ’62
Don Livingston Jr. ’62
Michael “Mike” Diffenderffer ’64
Emry Dilday ’64
Bill Bacon ’65 MBA
Anthony Kendrick ’65
Judith “Judi” Rogers Knight ’65
Ruth “Anne” Holdren Moyer ’65
Linda Stewart Pogue ’65
Ouida Stakes Steinkamp ’65
Robert Stone ’65
William Van Cleave Jr. ’65
Katherine “Katy” Kinlock Baldi ’66
Jeanette Herman Craig ’66 MEd
Robert “Ed” Smith ’66
Robert Glover ’67
Stephen Rhea ’67
Freda “Freda Mae” Abney
Meredith ’68 MEd
William Pennington ’68
Patricia Harron Blanton ’69
Marilynn Miller Charlton ’70
Charles Garrett ’70
David Dawson ’71 MEd
Edward “Ed” McKenna Jr. ’71
Doyle White ’71 MBA
Carroll Leffler ’72
Mary “Beth” Clark Deering ’73 MEd ’81
Lowell Keltner ’73 MEd
Sheryl Hess Letterman ’73
Kathryn Donati Clark ’74 MEd
Nadine Dykman Melgren ’74 MEd ’74
Micky Davies ’75
Susie Tidwell Graham ’75 MEd ’88
William “Bill” Grier ’75 MEd
Thomas Snodgrass ’75 MEd
Christopher Woolsey ’75
James Blair ’76
Virginia Stauffacher ’76 MEd ’85
Scott Yarbrough ’76
Don Pippin Jr. ’77
Martha “Rosalyn” Maddox
George ’78 MEd
Ronald Greenwood ’78
Beth Roaseau ’79
George Blowers ’81 MEd
Bruce Farner ’81
Carmen Boes Munday ’82
James Harmon ’83
Julia Smith ’84 MEd
Barbara “Barb” Burr Muhs ’85
Betty Owen ’85 MBA
Stuart Walsworth ’89
Sandra “Sandy” Wilson Reese ’92
John Black ’93
James Carnes ’93
Debroah Thurman Hicks ’93 MLS
Catherine Coffman ’94 MBA
Kathryn “Katie” Kobbermann ’99
Kevin Muxlow ’99
Jason “Jay” Bartelsmeyer ’01
Tammy Chaney Johnston ’02
Mary Bonnarens Helsley ’05
Neil Adams ’15 MFA
Constance Bolinger Garcia ’16
James “Jim” R. Spangler ’61
James “Jim” R. Spangler ’61, a devoted Drury alumnus and longtime trustee, passed away on January 9, 2025, at the age of 85. Born June 3, 1939, in Newark, Ohio, to Robert and Lillian Spangler, Jim graduated from Drury with a degree in Business Administration and married Patricia Dailey ’61 in 1962, beginning a lifelong partnership grounded in love and service.
Jim built a distinguished career in healthcare, founding Helping Hand Nursing Service and the Helping Hand Autistic Center, and later serving as President and CEO of Helping Hand Home Health Company in Grand Blanc, Michigan. A leader and philanthropist, he also served with the Flint Institute of Music, the Michigan Humane Society, and the Metamora Hunt.
As a Drury trustee and later an emeritus member, Jim advanced the university’s mission with insight, generosity, and care. His life reflected enduring values of leadership, compassion, and dedication.
Jim and Patt have generously supported Drury over the years, which culminated in their gift to name the Spangler Concert Hall in Clara Thompson funding renovations to the historic concert hall.
Ronald Lee “Ron” Walsworth ’58
Ronald Lee “Ron” Walsworth ’58, a proud Drury alumnus and longtime member of the Board of Trustees, passed away surrounded by family. Born in Springfield, Missouri, in 1935, Ron graduated from Central High School at 16 and earned dual degrees in Economics and Geology from Drury. In 1958, he married his childhood sweetheart, Judith Ann Moore of Ozark, beginning 67 years of devoted partnership.
After serving as a U.S. Navy officer, Ron built a distinguished career in leadership roles at Polaroid, Ideal Toy Corporation, and Berkey Photo. His sharp intellect, humor, and mentorship inspired countless colleagues and friends.
A Drury trustee from 1987 to 2008 and later an emeritus member, Ron embodied the university’s ideals of integrity, curiosity, and service. His influence endures through his family, community, and alma mater.
Read More
Exceptional Outcomes
DRURY MAGAZINE FALL 2025
PUBLISHER
Drury University
Dr. Jeff Frederick, President
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Levi Costello
WRITER / EDITOR
Rex Ybañez
DESIGNER
Janet Rock
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Cris Belvin
DIGITAL DESIGNER
Max Prater ’17
PANTHER TRACKS EDITOR
Kayla Warner ’21 MComm ’23
Drury Magazine, a publication for alumni and friends of Drury University, is published twice each year. The mission of Drury Magazine is to engage readers in the life of the university, reflect the university’s values and capture the intellectual curiosity and distinct community that is Drury.
The views presented do not necessarily reflect or represent those of the editors or the official policies of Drury University.
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