Alumni Success
Vikings who lead, serve, and inspire.
From corporate boardrooms and courtrooms to coaching mats and family farms, Missouri Valley graduates make a difference wherever they go. Meet the alumni we’re proud to call Vikings.
Alumni Relations
Share your story.
2025 Outstanding Alumni
Meet this year’s honorees.
Honored at the Outstanding Alumni Banquet during Homecoming 2025.
Outstanding Young Alumna
Paulina Biega
Class of 2017
Originally from Poland, Paulina came to Missouri Valley to wrestle and study. Today she leads the women’s program at Sacred Heart University, as one of the first female Division I wrestling head coaches in the country, and was named 2023 NCWWC National Coach of the Year.
Outstanding Alumnus
David Cano
Class of 1983
A former Viking basketball player, David retired after a 35-year career as a senior human resources executive with ConAgra Foods, Covidien, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, and Becton Dickinson, where he was Vice President of Human Resources for a $2 billion business unit.
Outstanding Alumnus
Bryan Berlin
Class of 1979
Bryan and his wife operate their family’s Century Farms. As a founding board member of Marshall’s Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum, he helped raise the first $60,000 that sparked the $3.2 million museum and community center.
Outstanding Alumnus
Travis Hitzeman
Class of 1999
A three-year baseball captain and All-Conference player at Valley, Travis went on to play professionally. He now leads one of the nation’s top-performing sales teams as Area Sales Manager for Ferguson Fire and Fabrication in Dallas.
Outstanding Alumnus
Alan Markowitz
Class of 1969
After serving in Vietnam and earning his law degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, Alan built a career as a Kansas City attorney advising automobile dealerships. He practices alongside his son.
The Outstanding Alumni Award
Celebrating the Valley tradition of excellence.
The Outstanding Alumni Award honors graduates who embody Missouri Valley’s tradition of excellence through personal accomplishment, professional achievement, or humanitarian service.
The Alumni Association presents the awards each year at the Alumni Banquet during Homecoming weekend. Graduates within 10 years of the current year are eligible for the Outstanding Young Alumni Award; graduates of 11 or more years are eligible for the Outstanding Alumni Award.
What the committee considers
Success in the nominee’s profession or career
Awards and recognition in their field
Contributions to community service
Interest in and loyalty to Missouri Valley
The role Valley played in their success
How nominations work
Anyone can submit a nomination using the official form. The selection committee presents candidates to the Alumni Advisory Board for approval, and nominees not selected stay on the ballot for two more years.
Nomination deadline: April 25
A legacy of achievement
Decades of Vikings making their mark.
Missouri Valley has honored its most accomplished graduates for more than six decades.
Past honorees
The Outstanding Alumni honor roll.
Select a year to see the Vikings recognized.
2024
John Gault ’58
Jana (Champion) Caudle ’96
Eric Sappington ’95
Young Alumni: Alex Aubrecht ’18
2023
LaTonya Turner ’86
Derek Lark ’97
Colin Smith ’10
Young Alumni: Omar ALRefae ’16
2022
Steven J. Tuck ’78
Ellen Lee Lance ’98
Young Alumni: Courtney Jolliff-Mullins ’14
2021
Robert “Bob” Brinkley ’80
Rebecca McConville ’02
Annabel Murphy ’07
Young Alumni: Jordan Webb ’10
2019
Dr. Glenn A. Berry ’71
Bruce Ayers ’72
Suzanne Redford Siems ’96
Young Alumni: Sasha Devic ’13
2018
Thomas Moore ’70
Raul Roldan ’77
Joshua Miller ’05
Young Alumni: Igor Lima ’10
2017
Jerry Everett ’66
Oscar Tshibanda ’86
Young Alumni: Lindsey Simmons ’10
2010–2016
2016
Jim Helm ’62
Wayne Crawford ’72
Tom Fauquier ’75
Young Alumni: Michael Loveless ’07
2015
Ron Porter ’64
George Robinson ’71
Frank Massaro ’76
Young Alumni: Mark Samsel ’07
2014
Thomas Hayob ’79
Steve Beahm ’86
Raymond Colaiacovo ’94
Young Alumni: Lee Taylor ’08
2013
Walter Hicklin ’61
Barry Randolph ’79
Fa’auuga To’oto’o ’81
Young Alumni: Ameya Pawar ’05
2012
Hugh Dunn ’48
Hiroshi Oto ’67
Young Alumni: Mollie Keith ’04
2011
Diana Malan
Jon Morris
Young Alumni: Ashley McKay
2010
Roman Jaworowicz
Lee Peek
Dudley McGlynn
2000–2009
2009
Spencer Fricke
E.J. Narcise
Young Alumni: Buddy Mayfield
2008
Mickey Burns
Kevin Hart*
Young Alumni: David Wood
2007
Keith Maxey
Young Alumni: Bobby Lashley
2006
David Ross
Young Alumni: Angel Gambino
2005
Robert L. Browning*
2004
David L. Stalling
Frank D. Tikalsky
2003
All Outstanding Alumni were recognized
2002
Richard Butterfield*
Lloyd R. Brown
2001
Donald G. Snell
John C. Lamkin, III*
2000
Ronald A. Phillippo
Lynn Hood
1990–1999
1999
Mary Lou Porter
1998
Alan McCollough
Nelson Rico Allen
1997
Robert Albin
Bill Manion
1996
William “Bill” Sterrett*
Delores Hanner
Tom Taylor
1995
George Clemens
Theodore J. Van Bemmel
1994
Bessie Chittwood*
Donald W. Mocker*
Ethel Geneva Casebolt*
Don S. Balka
1993
John W. Adams*
Grover C. Redford, Jr.*
Donald C. Manning*
1992
Walker C. Fletcher, Jr.*
Elmer H. Horman*
1991
Judy Schlimpert Redlich
Hiram L. Davis
Delford R. Thompson*
1990
John Elder*
1980–1989
1989
Soloman E. Wronker*
John E. Ashford
1988
June K. King*
Franklin Mitchell
Roger Woods
1987
Buddy Hannaford
Louis Hansen*
Guy Schupp*
1986
William Malcolm*
Donna Klepper Houston
William Weltero
1985
Ruth Zahn*
John R. “Scotty” Campbell
Kenneth Willoughby*
1984
Margaret McAninch Williams*
Alice Morrison Mitchell*
William D. Kleine*
H. Edward Gordon*
1983
William C. Gordon
Albert S. Eckilson
1982
Dan J. Stanley
Earl H. Lubensky*
1981
Tom Curry*
Douglas Kelling*
C. Edward Leslie
1980
Jerry Hilton
1971–1979
1979
Ruth Baity*
Josephine Baity*
1977
John S. Thornton
Jim Cockrell
1976
Harry “Skip” MacLaughlin
Marge (Swisher) Haggard*
1975
Harold C. Brown*
W.C. Gordon
1974
Harry Heinemann*
John S. Marshall*
John Blackburn*
1973
George Brock*
Mack Porter
Ben Brasher*
Viva Douchen Eigg
1972
J. Carson Dowell*
Mike Haggard*
1971
Jerry Arnett*
Steve Murphy*
Adrien Hess*
Belle Campbell Huff*
James Tirone*
1959
Ted Chittwood*
* Deceased
Know a Viking who deserves recognition?
Nominate a fellow graduate for the Outstanding Alumni Award by April 25, or reconnect with Valley and share your own story.