The 31st annual Alumni Association Awards banquet was held Homecoming weekend, and six outstanding individuals were honored.
GOLD Award – Dan Bradford ’04 
Dan Bradford ’04 was unhappy in his job when his wife, Sara Capra ’96, encouraged him to enroll in college so he could have a career he enjoyed. He says Missouri Western was a perfect fit from the start, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Today, he is a Research Specialist at Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Mo. In that position, he supervises an automation team that consists of one technician and six robots. He has authored or co-authored numerous articles for publications.
Bradford said he received an Alumni Association scholarship as a student and attended an awards banquet. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, wouldn’t that be incredible to be one of those people?’”
GOLD Award – Candice Quarles ’05
Candice Quarles ’05 says, for her, it’s always “people first,” and her position as an International Human Resources Consultant at Deloitte Tax LLC in Texas fits her very well. She has worked in the human resources field since she graduated from Missouri Western.
Quarles earned a degree in personnel psychology from Missouri Western and a master’s degree in managerial leadership with an emphasis in human resources and development from Webster University.
She recently completed a year serving as president of the Urban League of Greater Dallas Young Professionals. In the past two years, Quarles volunteered over 2,000 hours in the community. Dallas Observer Magazine named her in its 30 under 30 list and Dallas Furniture Bank named her in its 40 under 40 list.
“I learned my leadership skills at Missouri Western,” she said. “I’m proud to be a lifelong Griffon.”
Distinguished Alumni Award – Jack Jeffers ’82
Jack Jeffers ’82
began his career as a production employee at Quaker Oats in St. Joseph. After a few years, he decided to go to college so he could advance in his career. He graduated with a natural science degree with a chemistry emphasis, and had a successful career with Quaker Oats and PepsiCo for 26 more years.
He held positions as Quality Assurance Manager, Director of Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs, and Director of NA Beverage for Quaker Foods and Snacks Innovation and Commercialization.
Jeffers joined The Deans Foods Company in Dallas in 2011 and is currently Vice President of Quality Assurance and Consumer Affairs.
“Having a degree from Missouri Western allowed me to go a lot farther than I thought I would go,” Jeffers said.
Distinguished Alumni Award – Col. Mike Pankau ’84
Col. Mike Pankau ’84 retires as the Commander of the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph this month.
A St. Joseph native, Col. Pankau graduated from Missouri Western with a psychology degree and immediately pursued his passion for flying by joining the National Guard. He has spent his entire career serving his country.
Col. Pankau attended the Air Force undergraduate navigator training and served as a navigator on the
C-130 Lockheed aircraft. He served on several military tours and deployments over the years, including director of operations for the 4410th Airlift Squadron in Saudi Arabia and mission commander for the 180th Airlift Squadron in the Middle East.
He completed Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College, and earned a master’s degree in aero science technology from the University of Central Missouri.
“My education at Missouri Western gave me the start I needed to succeed,” Col. Pankau said.
Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University – Barbara Crumley
From the moment Barbara Crumley moved to St. Joseph, she has been an active volunteer and avid supporter of Missouri Western. When her husband, Richard, began teaching biology at the Junior College in 1967, Barbara immediately became involved in the Faculty Wives Club, which became Missouri Western Women.
Barbara then joined the Missouri Western Ambassadors and served on the executive board for that group for many years. She is currently serving her second term as president and is very involved in the group’s annual fund-raiser, Night at the Ritz. She is also a huge Griffon fan.
“The reason I volunteer is to pay back the love and support that the university and community have given to our family,” Barb said. “Peggy Iffert was a wonderful role model for me.”
Distinguished Faculty Award – Dr. Cary Chevalier
Dr. Cary Chevalier, known as “Dr. C” to most of his students, joined the Missouri Western Department of Biology in 1996. He helped develop the Conservation/Wildlife Management degree program and teaches many courses in that area.
Thanks to Dr. Chevalier, students graduate from the program with a wealth of experience in wildlife conservation and management. He is the advisor for the student chapter of The Wildlife Society, one of the most active and productive student organizations on campus. The group has won numerous awards, including International Chapter of the Year in 2011 and 2013. Dr. Chevalier was named International Student Chapter Advisor of the Year Award for 2013.
Dr. Chevalier earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arizona State University and his Ph.D in Biological Sciences from the University of California. He is also a Mapping GPS certified trainer. He has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and his service to the community.
“This is my dream job,” Dr. Chevalier said. “When I see my students taking leadership roles, it makes me very proud.”