Newsmakers

Missouri State University named Douglas Sampson the university architect and director of campus planning. In the newly created position, Sampson will be responsible for all facilities planning, as well as the programming and design of all university construction projects. He has been with MSU since 1990.

Community

Pregnancy Care Center in Springfield received a $25,000 grant from the National Fatherhood Initiative to fund its Fatherhood 3.6.5 program, which aims to empower men through education to build stronger relationships as fathers and mates. Expectant dads also receive help in job searches and budgets.

Carol Wright was named membership coordinator for Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Wright, a 24-year chamber veteran, helps attract new members and maintain current members through community events.

Education

Drury and Evangel universities in Springfield and Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar will benefit from a $30,000 donation by the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of agricultural firm Monsanto Co., to the Missouri Colleges Fund. The grant will underwrite 16 scholarships, worth $1,875 each, through the Monsanto Fund Science & Math Teacher Scholars Program.

Southwest Baptist University awarded three honorary doctorates. Gary Black, a 1968 alumnus, was managing director of OneBeacon Insurance Co. in Boston from 2004 until his retirement in December 2006 and has served on numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards. Phillip E. Franz, SBU Board of Trustees member, owns Franz Foods and Chellz Bridal Formal in West Plains. Gary Longenecker, a 1971 SBU alumnus, has been a pastor at churches in central Missouri, retiring in 2005.

Finance

Three CU Community Credit Union employees received awards. Senior Loan Officer Stephanie Thomas and Mortgage Loan Officer Casey Cooper received scholarships from the Missouri Credit Union Association. Jenny Reynolds, the credit union’s vice president of marketing, received a 2008 American InHouse Design Award from Graphic Design USA magazine for her SaveIt direct-mail campaign, which will be featured in the July issue.

Housing

Theresa Gerald joined The Montclair Retirement Community as dining services director. She has experience in several different fields of dining services, including work in the restaurant management department at MSU.

Law

Laurel Stevenson joined the Springfield office of Lathrop & Gage as of counsel. Stevenson previously served as managing partner of Franke Schultz & Mullen PC, where she had been a partner since 2001. She graduated with a juris doctorate from University of Missouri and has served as editor of Alabama Lawyers Weekly.