Newsmakers

Southwest Baptist University administrators David Whitlock and Gordon Dutile edited a new book on integrating a Christian worldview with the practice of business. The book, “A Noble Calling: Devotions and Essays for Christian Business Professionals,” features devotions and essays by 25 business authors.

Brad Gamble, SBU director of financial aid, received the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Leadership Award at the organization’s 2007 annual conference. The award recognizes the outstanding leadership of a member from each of the nine member states.

Lyndon Irwin, Missouri State University agriculture professor, received a $14,307 grant from the Missouri Department of Agriculture to fund the continuation of the Surveillance Program for Upland Game Birds project. The project studies avian influenza among poultry in Missouri. Irwin works with upland game bird producers to develop planning and education for rapid response teams in the event of an avian flu outbreak.

Danial Watts, planner for MSU’s Center of Resource Planning and Management, received a $20,233 grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The grant will fund Watts’ Public Transit Human Service Transportation Coordination Plan project. The grant was awarded to the regional planning commissions statewide to provide transportation services to rural communities.

Michael Thomas, Drury University associate dean for international programs, received the university’s 2007 Distinguished Staff Award. Thomas has been with the university since 1985; he previously served as the school’s director of admission.

He is a member of the Missouri Association of College Admission Counselors, a national delegate to the National Association of College Admission Counselors and the ACT state advisory board. Lynne Miller, principal of Disney Elementary School, is one of 13 nominees for the National Missouri Distinguished Principal award. Miller is in her first year as principal at Disney; she joined the Springfield R-XII School District in 1984 as a physical education teacher and has served as a principal since 1999.

Government

U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded grants to the Dade County R-4 Rural Fire Protection District and the Southern Webster County Fire Protection District through the department’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The grants – worth $204,250 and $45,600, respectively – will help pay for operations and safety, and vehicle acquisition.

Insurance

Scott Lassley, a financial adviser with the Morris Financial Group, earned the National Agent of the Month award in November from Kansas City Life Insurance Co. The award is given to the company’s highest producer in a given month. It is the second such award for Lassley, who is also president of the Ozark Chapter of the Society of Financial Service professionals.

Media

Midwest Family Broadcast Group promoted Chris Louzader to event marketing director. She is responsible for community partnerships, acting as a liaison with not-for-profit organizations, and researching, planning and executing events to market all four Midwest Family Broadcast Group radio stations. She has been with the company since June 1997 as commercial traffic director.[[In-content Ad]]