Outstanding Alumni of the Year
Alumni can be nominated for Outstanding Alumni of the Year with the nomination form. Once completed, email to foundation@eastcentral.edu. You can also call 636-584-6505 or email to request more information.
There are many great 糖心vlog官网 alumni making a difference in their communities, and throughout the world.
The Outstanding Alumni Award was created to recognize those former students. The award is presented by the 糖心vlog官网 Foundation.
To be considered for the award, nominees must have completed a college credit course at 糖心vlog官网 at some point in their educational journey.
Nominees must have completed a college credit course at 糖心vlog官网 during their educational journey. They should be recognized as leaders in their respective fields, showcasing a dedicated commitment to community service. Residency within the college district is not required.
Nominees are expected to showcase exceptional contributions to 糖心vlog官网 or the community, with a sustained commitment to the college.
The recipient will be selected by the 糖心vlog官网 Foundation Alumni Committee. A formal invitation to the 糖心vlog官网 Commencement Ceremony will be sent to the honoree and a plaque will be displayed at the 糖心vlog官网 Union campus in his or her honor.
People also can email foundation@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6505 to request the form for more information.
Strubberg Named 2025 糖心vlog官网 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient
A dedicated community leader, trusted professional, and proud 糖心vlog官网 graduate, Jim Strubberg has been named the recipient of the College鈥檚 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award.
The award, presented by the 糖心vlog官网 Foundation, was given to Strubberg on May 17 during 糖心vlog官网鈥檚 55th Annual Commencement Ceremony.
Strubberg, New Haven, is the senior accountant at Leroy Strubberg & Associates, where he has built a respected career grounded in professionalism, reliability, and a deep understanding of the needs of local families and businesses.
鈥淔or decades, Strubberg has paired his accounting expertise with an unwavering commitment to service, making a lasting impact across Franklin County,鈥� said Dr. Robyn Walter, 糖心vlog官网 Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Strubberg has spent decades improving life in his community. He is instrumental in the success of the Franklin County Cattlemen鈥檚 Association, raising scholarship funds for local students alongside his wife, Sharon. Together, they travel the region with their grill, supporting events that strengthen rural communities.
In New Haven, Strubberg is a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, serves on the Church Council at Assumption Catholic Church, and is active as a Eucharistic Minister and Financial Secretary for Council 7475. Each fall, he volunteers as a cashier at the Immaculate Conception Fall Festival. His support for first responders spans both New Haven and Union, where he has long aided local fire departments.
His contributions extend across numerous civic organizations. Strubberg has held leadership roles with the Union Area Chamber of Commerce, Union Development Corporation Board, Union Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, and the Citizens Bank Board of Directors. He currently serves on the Union R-11 Foundation Board, is a life member of Union FFA, and serves as treasurer for both the Union Kiwanis Club and the Franklin County Cattlemen鈥檚 Association. He is also treasurer of the Franklin County FFA Foundation Board.
He has served on the United Way Board of Directors, is widely recognized for his hands-on work with 4-H, and is a member of the New Haven and Union Chambers of Commerce, the Missouri Society of Accountants, and the National Society of Accountants.
鈥淛im鈥檚 the kind of person who doesn鈥檛 just join organizations鈥攈e works hard for them,鈥� said Dot Schowe, who nominated Strubberg for the award. 鈥淲hether he鈥檚 pulling the band trailer in parades across Missouri or pitching in at community events, he always shows up.鈥�
Strubberg鈥檚 connection to 糖心vlog官网 runs deep. In addition to his own accomplishments, his wife, Sharon, and three of their four children are 糖心vlog官网 graduates.
His lifelong dedication to community, family, and service truly embodies the spirit of the Outstanding Alumni Award. He has brought honor to 糖心vlog官网 not only through his achievements, but through the values he lives every day.
Past Recipients
(Year, Name, Community, Profession)
2024 – Sandy Lucy – Washington – Government
2023 – Cookie Hays – Washington – Higher Education
2022 – Tim Unnerstall – Washington – Business Management
2021 – Eric Park – Washington – Financial Planning
2020 – Scott Breckenkamp – Washington – Banking
2019 – Dorothy Schowe – New Haven – Public Relations
2018 – Ron Unnerstall – Washington – Engineer
2017 – Audrey Freitag – New Haven – Nurse
2016 – Dave Arand – Union – Attorney
2015 – Anthony “Tony” Kreutz – Union – Business Admin
2014 – Amy Wildhaber – Beaufort – ER Dept Manager
2013 – Joseph Purschke – Union – Attorney at Law
2012 – Linda Mahon – Union – History/Educator
2011 – Ted Coburn – Villa Ridge – Probation & Parole
2010 – Ann Schroeder – Union – Political Science
2009 – Chris Stuckenschneider – Washington – Journalism
2008 – Ken Schmidt – Union – Engineering
2007 – Tammy Watz – Sullivan – Allied Health
2007 – Dr. Frank Miller – Washington – Allied Health
2006 – Deborah Koelling – Washington – Education
2005 – Chris Manhart – Union – Education
2004 – Tom Robertson – New Haven – Engineering/HVAC
2003 – John Griesheimer – Washington – Elected Official
2002 – Tonya Voss – Sullivan – Education
