Outstanding Alumni

The Outstanding Alumni Award honors alumni who have typified the Missouri Valley College tradition of excellence and brought credit to the College by their personal accomplishment, professional achievement or humanitarian service. The Missouri Valley College Alumni Association presents awards to our Outstanding Alumni and Young Alumni at the Alumni Banquet held during Homecoming weekend.

Nominate Outstanding Alumni

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Paulina Biega 2017

Originally from Poland, Paulina Biega came to Missouri Valley College to pursue her education and wrestling career, graduating in 2017. A former collegiate and international competitor, she quickly transitioned into coaching and has become one of the first female Division I wrestling head coaches in the country.

Now leading the women’s program at Sacred Heart University, Biega was named the 2023 NCWWC National Coach of the Year and Region 1 Coach of the Year. Her athletic achievements include being a Polish National and International Champion, a two-time Universities Nationals All-American, and a European Championship medalist. She is a respected leader in the wrestling community and a proud MVC alumna.

David Cano 1983

David Cano recently retired after a 35-year career as a senior human resources executive with leading global corporations, including ConAgra Foods, Covidien, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, and Becton Dickinson (BD), where he served as Vice President of Human Resources for a $2 billion business unit. Known for his leadership in HR transformation and strategic talent development, David built high-performing teams and served as a trusted partner to executives worldwide.

A former MVC basketball player, David made personal sacrifices to complete his education, crediting Missouri Valley College with laying the foundation for his success. He remains an engaged alumnus, having returned as a guest speaker and participated in key College initiatives. David and his wife now reside in Gilliam, Missouri, and are proud parents of two adult children. His journey reflects the values of resilience, leadership, and enduring commitment to the Valley community.

Bryan Berlin 1979

A proud Missouri Valley College graduate and lifelong Saline County resident, Bryan Berlin studied Business and Agricultural Business at MoVal. He and his wife own and operate their family’s Century Farms, each in their family for over 100 years.

Bryan is a founding member and board member of the Nicholas-Beazley Aviation Museum in Marshall, where he played a pivotal role in its creation. His vision and leadership helped raise $60,000 to bring a locally manufactured aircraft back to town—an effort that sparked the development of the $3.2 million museum and community center. Today, it stands as a cultural landmark offering aviation history, educational programming, and events for all ages.

Deeply connected to Missouri Valley College, Bryan is a loyal supporter, campus event attendee, and member of the Baity Legacy Society. His lifelong commitment to education, community heritage, and service reflects the values of MVC and exemplifies the spirit of Valley.

Travis Hitzeman 1999

Travis Hitzeman is an accomplished sales executive with over 22 years of experience in construction and fire protection sales. He currently serves as Area Sales Manager for Ferguson Fire and Fabrication in Dallas, Texas, where he leads a high-performing team across five states and consistently drives revenue growth and strategic expansion. Under his leadership, his team has become one of the top-performing sales groups in the nation.

A proud graduate of Missouri Valley College with a BBA, Travis was a standout student-athlete—serving as a three-year team captain for the baseball team, earning multiple HAAC All-Conference honors, and representing the U.S. in international competition, where he was named MVP. He later played professional baseball and has also worked in the entertainment industry with roles in film, television, and commercial print.

Beyond his career achievements, Travis remains active in industry organizations, including the National Fire Sprinkler Association and the American Fire Sprinkler Association. He credits his time at MVC and his Sigma Nu fraternity brothers for shaping the relationships and leadership style that continue to guide his success today.

Past Outstanding Alumni

# Denotes Outstanding Young Alumni

* Deceased