News of Note

Ozarks Maturity magazine was selected by the North American Mature Publishers Association as the best new publication for mature adults in America. According to a news release from the magazine, Ozarks Maturity also received the 2004 Rookie of the Year Award and finished in second place in the categories of best overall use of photography, best feature writing, best feature layout and best public affairs coverage of senior issues.

Ozarks Maturity is edited and published by Chris Powers.

The association’s annual competition was judged by the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis and the National Federation of Press Women-Missouri affiliate.

U.S. Banker names Cavner ‘one to watch’

Nadia Cavner, senior vice president and financial consultant for U.S. Bancorp Investments, was selected as one of “The 25 Women to Watch 2004” by U.S. Banker for her consistent performance and mentoring in the banking industry. Cavner is the top senior financial consultant nationwide for U.S. Bancorp Investments. She has an asset base of more than $400 million with 3,300 clients. The list was published in the October issue of U.S. Banker.

Hamra receives Squires honor

Springfield attorney and businessman Sam F. Hamra was one of 10 individuals elected to the Missouri Academy of Squires at a luncheon held Dec. 6 in Jefferson City. The Academy of Squires is a 100-member organization that was established in 1960 to honor Missourians for their accomplishments at the community, state and national levels. Other recipients elected in December were Sheryl Crow, John Dillingham, Dick Dunn, Terry Dunn, Lali Garcia, Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Charles McClain, Duke McVey and Alan Wheat. Springfieldians previously elected include John Q. Hammons, John E. Moore, Ben Parnell, John L. Morris and Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft, and deceased members Lester E. Cox, Dr. Lewis E. Meador, Flavius Freeman and J. Robert Ashcroft.

Springfield boasts three 2004 Missourian awards

Robert. H. Spence, PhD, Todd Schaible, PhD, and Don Wessel received the 2004 Missourian Award at a Nov. 6 black-tie ceremony in Jefferson City. The awards are presented by the American Heart Association each year to nominees who have made outstanding contributions to their state or nation in civics, business, education, politics or the arts.

Spence is president of Evangel University, a position he has held since 1974.

Spence is Evangel’s third president since its inception in 1955. During his tenure, Evangel University changed its name from Evangel College and added several buildings to its campus, including Barnett Fine Arts Center and a three-story, 72,000-square-foot academic building. The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, the National Association of Schools of Music and the Council on Social Work Education. Spence has more than 100 off-campus speaking engagements each year. In 2004, he was named Springfieldian of the Year by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the boards of more than 15 community and business organizations, according to an Evangel news release. He has served as president/chairman of the boards of City Utilities, CoxHealth and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Schaible has served as the president and CEO of Burrell Behavioral Health since its inception nearly 28 years ago. With a staff of more than 500, Burrell provides behavioral health services for approximately 28,000 people in southwest Missouri. Under Schaible’s leadership, according to the awards publication, Burrell was formally recognized by the Missouri Department of Mental Health for its creative programming, model services and cost-containment measures. Burrell also has received the National Council of Community Behavioral Healthcare’s National Excellence Award for community service and for its children’s continuum of care. The most recent progress for Burrell is the Center for Child and Adolescent Development, which will serve as a hub for planning and delivery of specialized youth services in southwest Missouri. Schaible also has served on several community boards and for the state of Missouri in several capacities, including special advisor to the director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Wessel opened Don Wessel Oldsmobile in Springfield in 1966. He developed a love of music and arts at a young age, and he has been a supporter of the Springfield Symphony since 1968. His support has grown to include several organizations in addition to the arts. Wessell’s past civic involvement includes serving as president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and as president of Lester E. Cox Medical Centers (he now serves as a board member). Wessell also has been chairman of the Springfield chapter of the American Red Cross, and he is past president of the Springfield Area Council of Churches. In 1981, Wessel served as president of the Missouri Automobile Dealer Association, and he was president of the Springfield New Car Dealers Association 1975–1981. In 1982, he received the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award for the state of Missouri.

Another southwest Missourian to receive a 2004 Missourian Award is Jerry C. Davis, president of College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout. Davis was named president of the college in 1988. The school’s enrollment is limited to 1,500 students, but under Davis’ leadership, College of the Ozarks has had more than $30 million in new construction, and its endowment has grown by more than $200 million.

Herschends inducted into Hall of Fame

Jack and Peter Herschend, co-owners and co-founders of Herschend Family Entertainment and Silver Dollar City were inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Hall of Fame at the association’s annual convention in Orlando, Fla. The Hall of Fame celebrates outstanding achievement and contributions to the growth and development of the amusement park and attractions industry. Other Hall of Fame honorees include Walt Disney; George Ferris, creator of the Ferris wheel; and Walter Knott, founder of Knott’s Berry Farm.

“These legends and living legends are recognized not only for their contributions to the industry but also to causes and efforts that help humankind,” said Joe Meck, member of IAAPA’s board of directors, in a news release.

The Herschends were honored for their experience and leadership in the theme park industry, their strong commitment to family values, sound business development, originality and strategic vision. The Herschends’ role in the theme park industry began with Silver Dollar City in Branson, and has expanded to include nine family-oriented attractions in nine states.

In addition, Peter Herschend was honored for his efforts as the nation’s top

individual fundraiser for multiple sclerosis through the MS150. He has raised nearly $1 million in just more than 10 years. Jack Herschend has contributed to many youth programs, and his Gift of Green program has provided nearly 200,000 trees to individuals and businesses.