Newsmakers

Education
Drury University’s Breech School of Business Administration earned initial accreditation for its business degree program from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. To earn accreditation, Drury’s business program underwent an internal review and evaluation process and developed and implemented a plan that addressed 21 quality standards relating to faculty qualification, strategic management of resources and faculty/student interactions. 

Mike Dawson, principal at Branson Elementary West, was named Missouri’s National Distinguished Principal for 2010 by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Dawson has worked as an elementary principal with the Branson School District since 2003. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree from California State University.

A musical composition by Evangel University music professor John Akins will be featured June 1-5 at the International Computer Music Conference in New York City. Akins’ 60-second computer music piece is titled “You’ve Got ... 60 Seconds.” Akins has taught at Evangel University since 1977. He holds a bachelor’s in music and a Master of Music from Southern Methodist University-Dallas. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition from the University of Texas-Austin.

Chip Stanek, assistant professor of communication at Evangel University, presented a paper at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center entitled “Theory Creation in Narrative: A Rhetorical Criticism of David Lynch.” Stanek earned his bachelor’s degree from Evangel University and holds a Master of Arts from Missouri State University.

Aurora High School sophomore Courtney Spencer was one of 30 students chosen to participate in the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s 23rd annual Missouri Agribusiness Academy. During the weeklong academy in June, Spencer will tour Springfield-area agribusiness operations.

Martin Mittelstadt, associate professor of New Testament at Evangel University, has published a book, “Reading Luke-Acts in the Pentecostal Tradition.” Mittelstadt has taught at Evangel since 2000. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Marquette University, a Master in Divinity from Providence Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s in Theology from Central Pentecostal College.
 
Finance            
Scott Harris has been named president/chief credit officer at Ozark Bank and elected to the board of directors. He has 25 years of experience in lending and bank management.

Additional promotions at Ozark bank are: John Darrow to senior vice president/chief information officer; Harold D. Phillips to senior vice president/branch administration; and Lisa Langford to branch banking officer.

New members of Ozark Bank’s board of directors are: Chlorene Hedgpeth, chairwoman emeritus; John F. (Fred) Hedgpeth II, chairman; Laura Haseltine, vice-chairman; and Dan R. Mathenia, member.

Hospitality
Branson KOA is the Missouri Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds’ Large Park of the Year for 2010. The campground, owned by Ralph and Kim Newell, includes shuttle service to Branson shows, pet sitting and patio sites with lawn furniture among its amenities.

Nonprofit
The Missouri Foundation for Health has awarded $786,996 in grants to 10 area nonprofits. Grant funding supports nonprofit organizations that work to improve the health of thousands of Missourians. The agencies that received grants through the foundation’s Basic Support program are: The Child Advocacy Center Inc., $75,000; Community Alliance for Compassionate Care at the End of Life, $75,000; The Doula Foundation of Mid-America, $75,000; GYN Cancers Alliance, $56,622; Least of These Inc., $72,374; McAuley Counseling Services Inc., $75,000; National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwest Missouri, $75,000; Ozarks Regional YMCA, $150,000; Pregnancy Care Center, $75,000; Stone County Assistance Team – Lakes Area Child Advocacy Center, $58,000.
 
Retail
Tarasina Schneller has been named Simon Property Group Inc.’s director of marketing and business development at Battlefield Mall. Schneller’s responsibilities include strategic marketing, supervision of customer service staff, sponsorships and business development, budgeting and public relations. Most recently, she was director of marketing and business development at Towne East Square in Wichita, Kan. She attended Wichita State University and earned her Master of Business Administration from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan.

Tourism
John A. Joslyn was appointed to the state tourism commission, which makes decisions about policy and administration for the state. Joslyn is president and CEO of Cedar Bay Entertainment and owners of Titanic Museums in Brandson and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. His term ends Jan. 15, 2014.