Newsmakers: May 30-June 5, 2016

Arts
Springfield Contemporary Theatre hired Albert Pertalion as director of development. He ran the historic Body Politic Theatre in Chicago and has taught acting or directing at Big Ten Conference schools.

Education
University of Missouri Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement J. Wayne Chipman accepted the position of executive vice president for advancement at Drury University, effective July 1. Chipman, who worked at Drury 1997-2001, has worked the past 13 years at MU. He holds a law degree and an MBA from Washburn University and a bachelor’s in economics from Drury.

Drury appointed three faculty members to leadership positions: Rebecca Miller, associate professor of art and art history, as director of the Arts Administration Program; Karen Spence, associate dean of the Hammons School of Architecture, as director of the Drury Core: Engaging Our World curriculum; and Ted Vaggalis, associate professor of philosophy and political science, as director of new faculty orientation.

Six financial information students at Missouri State University received first-place honors at the Missouri Valley Regional Best Practices Competition in Omaha, Neb.: Madison Clark and Brandon Holman, in Leadership and Management; Veronica Shultz and Brandon Smith, in Alignment of Officer Activities; and Tara Randles and Tanner Courtney, in the Good or Great Competition. Members of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors organization for finance students and professionals, the students earned $500 for their chapter.

Health Care
Psychologist Judith Cain joined Citizens Memorial Hospital’s Southside Medical Center-Behavioral Health. Most recently practicing privately in Springfield, she received a master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology at Forest Institute and a bachelor’s in psychology from MSU.

Manufacturing
Scott Higgins, general manager of the Transtore division for Custom Metalcraft Inc., received the Patriot Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. The award recognizes Higgins’ support of employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves.