June 2025 Board of Regents Recognitions

Published on June 26, 2025

State Tech Champion

The State Tech Champion is an internal award presented to one faculty and one staff member each year. Nominations for this award come from students, faculty, staff, and/or the general public. To be a State Tech Champion, an employee lives our mission of “Profitable Employment and a Life of Learning”; is dedicated to our students and the well-being of the College; goes the extra mile for our students, staff, and alumni; always has the best interests of the College in mind; and goes above and beyond to make State Tech a better place. This year, the faculty Champion is Dr. Joe Barnhill, Business Administration Department Chair. The staff Champion this year is Dwight Massey, Heavy Equipment Operations Technician.

SkillsUSA

8 State Tech students will be competing at SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta on June 23-27,2025. Those students and their associated departments are:

• • Zachary Baker (Precision Machining Technology) –
    • Competing in CNC 2-Axis Turning Programmer
  • Joshua Basye (Computer Networking & Cyber Security)
    • Competing in Job Skill Demonstration A
  • James Cahill (Automotive Technology) –
    • Competing in Automotive Service Technology
  • Coy Melvin (Aviation Maintenance) –
    • Competing in Power Equipment Technology
  • Gabriel Stuckey (Diesel Technology)
    • Competing in Diesel Equipment Technology
  • Ayden Case (Welding Technology) –
    • Competing in Welding Fabrication – TEAM
  • Devin Rabold (Welding Technology) –
    • Competing in Welding Fabrication – TEAM
  • Coby Williams (Welding Technology) –
    • Competing in Welding Fabrication – TEAM

All-Missouri Academic Team for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Two State Tech students were named to the All-Missouri Academic Team for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Students earn this honor based on their academic achievements as well as excellence outside the classroom. Those students and their associated programs are:

• • Jordan Sager (Utilities Technology)
  • Jessica Vaught (Precision Machining Technology)

Show-Me Value-Added Agriculture Institute

Congratulations to Agriculture Operations students, Jackson Norfleet and Caleb Graver, as well as Chair, Luke Wilbers, who completed the Show-Me Value-Added Agriculture Institute in April 2025. The Show-Me Value-Added Agriculture Institute is a program designed to help young adults interested in agriculture develop ideas to bring value to Missouri agriculture, through on-the-farm products sales, etc.

Professional Agricultural Student Organization (PAS)

Three State Tech Agriculture Operations students competed at the Professional Agricultural Student Organization (PAS) Nationals in Sheridan, WY, on March 17-20. Those students and their associated rankings are:

• • Brecca Thornhill
    • Third Place – Agribusiness Administration Employment Interview
    • Seventh Place – Agribusiness Systems Career Progress
  • Lauren Pennington
    • Fourth Place – Agribusiness Systems Career Planning
    • Twelfth Place – Equine Specialist
  • Makayla Hayes
    • Eighth Place – Ag. Sales Presentation

Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologists – Student Bowl

Three State Tech Medical Radiologic Technology students placed fourth in the Student Bowl competition at the Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologists annual conference on April 3, 2025. Those students and their coach are:

• • Josiah Hodgson
  • Keara McDonnell
  • Margaret Stieferman
  • Coach – Vicki Johnson

College Lineman’s Rodeo

Five State Tech Electrical Distribution Systems students were named winners in the 2025 College Lineman’s Rodeo in Alpena, MI, against 54 national competitors. Those students and their associated events are:

• • State Tech Team 1 (Houston Guffey, Tanner Hargis, Garrett Mason, Joshua Selby)
    • 1st place – Competing in Team Obstacle Course
    • 2nd place – Overall
  • Garrett Mason
    • 3rd place – Competing in Individual Obstacle Course
  • Wes Cardwell
    • 4th place – Overall
  • Houston Guffey
    • 6th place – Overall
  • Tanner Hargis
    • 9th place – Overall