{"id":17,"date":"2014-11-12T20:52:32","date_gmt":"2014-11-12T20:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=17"},"modified":"2026-02-16T15:19:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:19:06","slug":"alumni-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/alumni-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Outstanding Alumni of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alumni can be nominated for Outstanding Alumni of the Year with the nomination form<\/a>.<\/strong> Once completed, email to foundation@eastcentral.edu<\/a>. You can also call 636-584-6505 or email to request more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many great ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø alumni making a difference in their communities, and throughout the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Outstanding Alumni Award was created to recognize those former students. The award is presented by the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be considered for the award, nominees must have completed a college credit course at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø at some point in their educational journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees must have completed a college credit course at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nominees are expected to showcase exceptional contributions to ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø or the community, with a sustained commitment to the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recipient will be selected by the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Foundation Alumni Committee. A formal invitation to the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Commencement Ceremony will be sent to the honoree and a plaque will be displayed at the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Union campus in his or her honor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People also can email foundation@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6505 to request the form for more information<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Strubberg Named 2025 ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A dedicated community leader, trusted professional, and proud ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø graduate, Jim Strubberg has been named the recipient of the College\u2019s 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award, presented by the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Foundation, was given to Strubberg on May 17 during ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø\u2019s 55th Annual Commencement Ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Dr.<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cFor decades, Strubberg has paired his accounting expertise with an unwavering commitment to service, making a lasting impact across Franklin County,\u201d said Dr. Robyn Walter, ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Vice President of Academic Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Strubberg has spent decades improving life in his community. He is instrumental in the success of the Franklin County Cattlemen\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s Association. He is also treasurer of the Franklin County FFA Foundation Board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJim\u2019s the kind of person who doesn\u2019t just join organizations\u2014he works hard for them,\u201d said Dot Schowe, who nominated Strubberg for the award. \u201cWhether he\u2019s pulling the band trailer in parades across Missouri or pitching in at community events, he always shows up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strubberg\u2019s connection to ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø runs deep. In addition to his own accomplishments, his wife, Sharon, and three of their four children are ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His lifelong dedication to community, family, and service truly embodies the spirit of the Outstanding Alumni Award. He has brought honor to ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø not only through his achievements, but through the values he lives every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Past Recipients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

(Year, Name, Community, Profession)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024 –<\/strong> Sandy Lucy<\/a> – Washington – Government<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 –<\/strong> Cookie Hays<\/a> – Washington – Higher Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022 – <\/strong>Tim Unnerstall<\/a> – Washington – Business Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021 – <\/strong>Eric Park<\/a> – Washington – Financial Planning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020 – <\/strong>Scott Breckenkamp<\/a> – Washington – Banking<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019 – <\/strong>Dorothy Schowe<\/a> – New Haven – Public Relations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2018 – <\/strong>Ron Unnerstall<\/a> – Washington – Engineer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017 – <\/strong>Audrey Freitag<\/a> – New Haven – Nurse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016 – <\/strong>Dave Arand<\/a> – Union – Attorney<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2015 – <\/strong>Anthony “Tony” Kreutz<\/a> – Union – Business Admin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2014 – <\/strong>Amy Wildhaber<\/a> – Beaufort – ER Dept Manager<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013 – <\/strong>Joseph Purschke<\/a> – Union – Attorney at Law<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2012 – <\/strong>Linda Mahon – Union – History\/Educator<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2011 – <\/strong>Ted Coburn – Villa Ridge – Probation & Parole<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2010 – <\/strong>Ann Schroeder – Union – Political Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2009 – <\/strong>Chris Stuckenschneider – Washington – Journalism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2008 – <\/strong>Ken Schmidt – Union – Engineering<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2007 – <\/strong>Tammy Watz – Sullivan – Allied Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2007 – <\/strong>Dr. Frank Miller – Washington – Allied Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2006 – <\/strong>Deborah Koelling – Washington – Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2005 – <\/strong>Chris Manhart – Union – Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2004 – <\/strong>Tom Robertson – New Haven – Engineering\/HVAC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2003 – <\/strong>John Griesheimer – Washington – Elected Official<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2002 – <\/strong>Tonya Voss – Sullivan – Education<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø alumni making a difference in their communities, and throughout the world. The Outstanding Alumni Award was created to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yst_prominent_words":[10,22,9,3],"class_list":["post-17","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/98"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17"}],"version-history":[{"count":90,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":616,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17\/revisions\/616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastcentral.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=17"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}