Maryville University
Alumni and Community Awards

Maryville University
Alumni and Community Awards

Maryville University
Alumni and Community Awards

students in chemistry lab

Maryville is proud to recognize those who give generously of their time and talents to Maryville and to the community at large, as well as those whose work brings distinction to their profession.

MYRTLE E. AND EARL E. WALKER MEDAL

The Walker Medal recognizes outstanding contributions or achievement in the field of Health and Wellness.

Click the arrow below to see additional past recipients.

  • Sister Mary Roch Rocklage

    Sister Mary Roch Rocklage, RSM, was the modern-day foundress of the Mercy health system. She helped lay the groundwork for a decades-long relationship between Maryville University and Mercy.

     

  • Alumni, Faculty and Student Nurses

    In 2022, Maryville awarded the Walker Medal to all Maryville nursing alumni, students and educators. President Mark Lombardi, PhD, presented the Walker Medal to the Maryville nursing community during the 2022 Nurse Pinning Ceremony.

     

  • Missouri Foundation for Health

    The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) works to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities most in need through partnership, experience, knowledge and funding.
     
     

 

HEART OF MARYVILLE AWARD

The Heart of Maryville Award, formerly Centennial Award, recognizes a lifestyle best exemplifying the values of the Sacred Heart tradition.

Click the arrow below to see additional past recipients.

  • Mimi Webster Murphy

    Mimi Webster Murphy graduated with honors, earning a degree in Political Science and a minor in French. After graduating from Maryville University, she attended Washington University School of Law, where she was one of only five female graduates in the class of 1971.

     

  • Colleen “Coke” Hennessy

    Colleen “Coke” Hennessy has dedicated both her personal and professional life to the service of others. She credits her time at Maryville with helping her to identify her strengths and talents and determine how to use them to serve others.

     

  • Suzie Weiss

    Suzie Weiss’ love of Maryville runs as deep as her family legacy, which stretches back more than 100 years. Her grandmother studied at the old campus of Maryville Academy and in 1940, her mother, Kathleen Desloge, graduated from the original Maryville College.

 

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

The Young Alumni Award recognizes young alumni who bring distinction to their professions, their community and their alma mater.

Click the arrow below to see additional past recipients.

  • Jessica Alexander

    Jessica Alexander is a proud first-generation college graduate. Her business acumen and exceptional customer service skills have enabled her to launch two successful careers.

     

  • Ryan Cockerham

    For Ryan Cockerham, giving back has always been a part of his life. Growing up in a family where philanthropy was front and center, it’s no surprise he now devotes much of his personal and professional life to helping others.

     

  • Morris “Tre” Jenkins

    Tre Jenkins works as a corporate partnerships executive for the Atlanta Falcons. A lifelong sports fan, Jenkins says he sometimes “feels like a kid” getting to do what he loves for a living and working for the top league in professional sports.

     

 

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes volunteers who have made significant contributions to the University within the past year.

Click the arrow below to see additional past recipients.

  • Passion Bragg

    Passion Bragg graduated from Maryville University with a B.A. in Middle School Education, emphasizing Mathematics and Science. She then earned an M.A. in Teaching Science and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Webster University.

     

  • Angela Casimere

    Angela Casimere is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Maryville University and her Master’s in Counseling from Lindenwood University.

     

  • Darin Sorrell

    For Darin Sorrell, volunteering is a way of paying it forward to current and future students at Maryville. He remembers his time as a Maryville student as a formative one, including building strong relationships with both fellow students and faculty and staff—many of whom he remains close with today.

     

 

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DEAN’S AWARD

The Dean’s Award recognizes graduates and others who bring distinction to their profession, to their community and to Maryville within the field of Arts and Sciences.

Click the arrow below to see additional past recipients.

  • Stephanie Koch

    Stephanie Koch received a Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Science from Maryville University. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA), and she also holds the Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI) designation.

     

  • Tim Rozar

    Tim Rozar serves as senior vice president and chief of staff at RGA Reinsurance Company. He was first introduced to RGA as a student—he was hired as an intern during a Maryville career fair. Since then, Rozar has worked with the company in a variety of roles.

     

  • Laraine Davis

    When Laraine Davis was growing up, she and her two brothers were the only black students at their predominantly white school. Now, Davis’s job is to ensure that her Wells Fargo Advisor’s global workplace is diverse.
     
     

 

JOHN E. SIMON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS DEAN’S AWARD

The Dean’s Award recognizes graduates and others who bring distinction to their profession, to their community and to Maryville within the field of Business.

Click the arrow below to see additional past recipients.

  • Aaron Asher

    Aaron Asher graduated early from Maryville University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Bascom Honors. After graduation, he honed his sales and business growth skills while working at rapidly growing marketing and software companies before founding Arsenal Business Solutions in early 2019.

     

  • Brandon Loeschner

    Brandon Loeschner is working in a niche and growing market for CPAs: gaming services. As partner and national practice leader of the gaming services practice at RubinBrown, Loeschner is building a national brand in the industry.

     

  • Melissa Lenz

    Melissa Lenz is past president of the Kiwanis Club of Crestwood-Sunset Hills and has worked with the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis. She’s also a member of the United Way’s de Tocqueville Society Cabinet.
     

 

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION DEAN’S AWARD

The Dean’s Award recognizes graduates and others who bring distinction to their profession, to their community and to Maryville within the field of Education.

Click the arrow below to see additional past recipients.

  • Dr. James Wipke

    Dr. James Wipke earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Harris-Stowe State University. He holds two master’s degrees from Southwest Baptist University and a Doctorate in Education from Maryville University.

     

  • LaTonia Collins Smith, EdD

    LaTonia Collins Smith, ’15, is Harris-Stowe State University’s 21st president and its first African American female president. The University is the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) institution in the St. Louis region.

     

  • Rosalyn Manahan

    As assistant principal at Pattonville High School, her high school alma mater, Rosalyn Manahan, EdD, is following in her mentor’s footsteps by helping students set and achieve academic and personal goals.
     

 

MYRTLE E. AND EARL E. WALKER COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS DEAN’S AWARD

The Dean’s Award recognizes graduates and others who bring distinction to their profession, to their community and to Maryville within the field of Health Professions.

Click the arrow below to see additional past recipients.

  • Dr. Janene Reeves

    Dr. Janene Reeves received a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Maryville University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Boston University. She has held several roles over the past 20 years at Barnes Jewish Hospital (BJH), where she currently serves as the Associate Administrator in the Office of the President.

     

  • Andrew Dwiggins

    After a career as a musician and songwriter, Andrew Dwiggins decided to pursue a degree in music therapy. Now, he uses his guitar as a vehicle for providing music therapy to cancer patients as manager of patient support services at the St. Louis University Cancer Center.

     

  • Alison Tompkins Cole

    Alison Tompkins Cole, MT-BC, a graduate of Maryville’s Music Therapy program, works with patients and families of BJC Hospice and Evelyn’s House hospice facility to foster connections through music while also relieving patients’ pain and anxiety.

 

ONLINE LEARNING AWARD (NEW IN 2020)

The Online Learning Award recognizes online graduates and others who bring distinction to their profession, to their community and to Maryville.

  • Dr. Aeron Sheffield

    Dr. Aeron Sheffield earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a specialization as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner from Maryville University.

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  • Richard Trietley, EdD

    After more than 20 years as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Army, Richard Trietley, ’22, pursued his online Doctor of Education degree to propel him to his next career endeavor: university president.

     

  • Taryn Denezpi

    The ability to earn her degree online is why Taryn Denezpi, DNP, ACNPC-AG, is able to help stroke victims today. Through the flexibility of virtual classrooms, Denezpi navigated moving across the country, managing a high-risk pregnancy and caring for a new baby — all while earning a doctorate in nursing practice.