Missouri Southern News Bureau FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2003 Contact: Lee Pound (417) 625-9355 E-Mail: News Bureau Voice: (417) 625.9399 FAX: (417) 625.3142 |
JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - Outstanding Alumni, Lionhearted Awards announced Three longtime Missouri Southern supporters, Senator Gary Nodler, '72, Representative Ron Richard, '69, and Representative Marilyn Ruestman, '62, '81, will receive the Outstanding Alumni 2003 award from the Missouri Southern Alumni Association according to Lee Elliff Pound, Alumni Association Director. Senator Gary Nodler, a 1972 Missouri Southern graduate with a B.A. in Political Science, was elected in November 2002 to the Missouri State Senate, 32nd District. The Neosho native also attended Crowder College. After graduating from Southern, he joined the staff of U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor and served as his district staff director until the congressman retired in 1988. President George H.W. Bush appointed Mr. Nodler to serve as Regional Administrator for the United States Small Business Administration in 1989. In 1991 he was appointed to serve as a member of the Rural Policy Working Group, a cabinet-level working group of the Economic Policy Council at the White House. Mr. Nodler also served as the President's advisor to the Council on Rural America. In 1997 he was appointed to a shared staff position working with Senators Kit Bond and John Ashcroft and U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt on small business and federal procurement matters. He retired from the federal government in August 2000. In January 2001, he was appointed to the Bush/Cheney transition advisory team. As President and owner of SoMo Cable Inc., he built and operated the cable television system in Seneca. He owned and operated a consulting business that worked with Midwest Paging Systems, Lucky Strike Fishing Lures, Hookup Corp. and Leggett & Platt. He produced and hosted The Gary Nodler Show on KQYX in 1997 and 1998. He served as a member of the board of directors of First State Bank in Monett for six years and as Executive Director of the Monett Chamber of Commerce for three years. He has served as a president of the Methodist Men's Club, Chairman of the Administrative Board, church Trustee and presently serves as the church's Lay Member of The Missouri West Annual Conference. He is a veteran of the United States Army and the Missouri National Guard and is a member of the American Legion. Mr. Nodler has been married to the former Joncee Edwards of Neosho for 28 years. They have one son and one granddaughter. The Nodlers reside in Joplin. Representative Ron Richard, a Republican, represents part of Jasper and Newton counties (District 129) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in November 2002.In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Richard is a partner in A&R Development, C&R Development Corp., and has full duties with C&N Bowl Corporation. He is the former mayor of Joplin, serving from 1994-97. He also served on the Joplin City Council from 1990-94. Rep. Richard is a member of the following organizations: Joplin Elks Lodge; Joplin Chamber of Commerce; Missouri Chamber of Commerce; NFIB; MoBiz; Scottish Rite Bodies; Valley of Joplin; Knights of Columbus; former member, Professional Bowlers Association; board of directors, Missouri Southern State University Foundation; chairman of the board of directors, Joplin Redevelopment Corporation, Inc.; board of directors, Bowling Incorporated in Milwaukee, Wis.; Joplin Industrial and Development Authority; former board member, Joplin Building and Industrial Development Corporation; board member, Missouri Municipal League; chairman, Joplin 353 Downtown Development Corp.; and member of the Missouri Higher Education Savings Program Board. A 1965 graduate of McAuley High School, Rep. Richard received a Bachelor of Arts from Missouri Southern in 1969 and a Master of Arts from Southwest Missouri State University in 1971. Born July 4, 1947 in Parsons, Kan., Rep. Richard lives in Joplin with his wife, Patty. They have two children: Kara and Chad. Representative Marilyn Ruestman, a Republican, represents parts of McDonald and Newton counties (District 131) in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to the House in November 2002. She was elected treasurer of the freshman class of the 92nd General Assembly, president of the Women Legislators of Missouri and was appointed to the Missouri Women's Council. In addition to her legislative duties, Rep. Ruestman is co-owner of Ruestman Construction/Real Estate Development Company. The Ruestman family has been in real estate development in the Joplin/Newton County area since 1947. Prior to being elected she served as district coordinator for U.S. Congressman Mel Hancock from 1989-96 and as district director for Missouri State Senator Marvin Singleton. Rep. Ruestman attends First United Methodist Church. She served as the elected Republican state committeewoman for many years. She has also served as president or chairman of the following civic organizations: Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce; Soroptimist International of Joplin; Metro Exchange Club; The Boys and Girls Club of Joplin; and Joplin Federated Republican Women. A recipient of the Woman of the Year from the Missouri Federated Republican Women, Rep. Ruestman has also received the following awards: Woman of Distinction from Soroptimist International; Missouri State Volunteer Project of the Year; and was a national winner for Students in Free Enterprise competition. She is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. A graduate of Noel High School, Rep. Ruestman has received an Associate of Arts degree from Joplin Junior College, a Bachelor's degree from Missouri Southern and a Master's degree from Pittsburg State University. Rep. Ruestman lives in rural Newton County with her husband Richard. She has a daughter: Morgan, and two stepchildren, Pam and Peter. Also the MSSU Alumni Association has designated the Lionhearted Awards. Lionhearted recipients are individuals who are not MSSU alumni but who have made unmatched contributions to the University. The awards are based on outstanding service, financial support, student recruitment or other efforts to Joplin Junior College, Jasper County Junior College, Missouri Southern College, Missouri Southern State College and Missouri Southern State University. Those receiving the Lionhearted Awards are: Missouri State Representatives Bryan Stevenson, Ed Emery, Jack Goodman, Steve Hunter, Larry Gene Taylor, and Kevin Wilson. |
