Alumni association to present 12 with merit award

A dozen alumni of Southeast Missouri State University will receive the school's 2005 Young Alumni Merit awards.

They will be honored by the alumni association at a commencement luncheon at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at the Student Recreation Center and will be recognized during commencement at 2 p.m. in the Show Me Center.

Award recipients are Lynese Cargill Hoffman of Chesterfield, Mo.; Jason Crowell and Michelle Brune, both of Cape Girardeau; Ginger Schwab of Sanford, Fla.; Samantha Blankenship and Matthew Modica, both of Arnold, Mo.; Dr. Michelle Redfearn of Riverside, Mo.; Shawn Grindstaff of Columbia, Ill.; Jeffrey Davis of Jefferson City, Mo.; Dr. Clay Corbin of Bloomsburg, Pa.; Dr. Chris Wright of Easton, Pa.; and Geoffrey Parker of Jackson.

The merit award is given annually to honor alumni under the age of 37 from each of the university's colleges who have brought distinction to the school through professional growth, service and individual character, school officials said.

Hoffman and Crowell are merit award winners from the Harrison College of Business.

Hoffman, a 1991 graduate of Southeast, is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Common Ground Public Relations. Crowell, a 1995 graduate, is the state senator for the 27th District in Southeast Missouri.

Schwab and Blankenship are the award winners from the College of Education.

A 1998 graduate, Schwab teaches space science at the Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School in Florida. Blankenship, a 1997 graduate, works as a research assistant at Washington University's School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Redfearn and Brune are the award winners from the College of Health and Human Services.

Redfearn, a 1992 graduate, is a clinical research coordinator for the Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. Brune, a 1994 graduate, is an assistant professor in the housing and interior design program in the department of human environmental studies at Southeast.

Grindstaff and Davis both are being honored from the College of Liberal Arts.

A 1989 graduate, Grindstaff is principal and senior mediator for the Forrester Group. Davis , a 1994 graduate, chairs the Missouri Public Service Commission.

Corbin and Wright are the award winners from the College of Science and Mathematics.

Corbin, a 1995 graduate, is an assistant professor of biology at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Wright, a 1996 graduate, is a senior chemist for Exxon Mobil.

Parker and Modica are being honored as graduates of the School of Polytechnic Studies.

Parker, a 1992 graduate, is vice president of First Missouri State Bank. Modica, a 1998 graduate, is senior project leader and limited partner for Edward Jones.