More than 20 people with ties to Missouri University of Science and Technology will be honored during the Alumni Association Miner Legends Banquet on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Missouri S&T. The awards banquet is held during Missouri S&T’s Homecoming celebration.

The public is invited to the awards banquet, which will be held at Matt’s Steakhouse in Rolla. A reception begins at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required. For more information, contact the Miner Alumni Association at 573-341-7677.

The Alumni Achievement Award is presented in recognition of outstanding personal achievements in academia, business, professional or civic endeavors. Recipients include:

James Leonard, a senior technical fellow at Boeing IDS in St. Louis. Leonard earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1976.
Steve Parks, a senior diversity specialist for Ameren in St. Louis. Parks received a bachelor’s degree in engineering management in 1982.
Steven H. Wunning, group president and executive office member for Caterpillar in Peoria, Ill. Wunning obtained a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering in 1973.
The Alumni Admissions Ambassador of the Year Award is given to an alumni admissions ambassador who has made significant contributions to the university through the recruitment of future students. This year’s winner is Robert Saxer. Saxer earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering in 1961 and 1962, respectively. Now retired, he was national sales manager of AMCEC Inc. in Genoa, Ill.
The Alumni Merit Award is presented for achievement or service to the Missouri S&T campus or to the Miner Alumni Association. Recipients include:
Roger Dorf, vice president and general manager of the broadband wireless business unit of Cisco Systems in Austin, Texas. Dorf received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1965.
Aaron Greenberg, who earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1950. He is currently retired from engineering and is the Class of 1950 leader.
The Chancellor Medal recognizes an individual for long-term dedication and service to the university and state. This year’s recipient is Robert D. Bay, who received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1949. Bay is a retired major general. As a civilian, he worked on many projects for Black and Veatch.
The Class of 1942 Excellence in Teaching Award is based on student feedback surveys. The award is made possible through an endowment established by the class of 1942. This year’s winner is Jeffery Volz, assistant professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering.
The Distinguished Young Alumnus Award is presented to alumni under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership ability, commitment to service and a high level of achievement in their chosen profession. Recipients include:
Patrick Chapman, an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is also the co-founder and chief technology officer of SmartSpark Energy Systems Inc. in Austin, Texas. Chapman earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Brady Hays, vice president of business development at Black and Veatch in the United Kingdom. Hays received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1998.
Kent Lowry, an orthopedic surgeon for Northland Orthopedic Associates in Rhinelander, Wis. Lowry obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1992.
Scott Preston, chief of operations in the 18th engineer brigade stationed in Tikrit, Iraq. Preston received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1997 and a master’s degree in engineering management in 2002.
The Frank H. Mackaman Volunteer Service Award is presented in recognition of volunteer service to the Miner Alumni Association, the community and alumni sections. This year the award will be given to Lori Crocker. Crocker earned a degree in aerospace engineering in 1988. She is the equipment hardware manager for NASA in Houston.
The Joe Mooney Distinguished Student Award was established in memory of 1939 graduate Joe Mooney, a past president of the Miner Alumni Association. The award is given to an outstanding officer and a member of a student organization. Recipients for 2009 include:
Brandi Anderson, a senior in chemical engineering from Belleville, Ill. Anderson is an officer with Phi Eta Sigma.
Blaine Higbee, a junior in chemical engineering from Lee’s Summit, Mo. Higbee is a member of Student Council.
The Outstanding Staff Member Award is given for outstanding service to students of the university. This year’s winner is Tina Malchert, secretary in student life.
The Outstanding Student Adviser Award honors advisers for their efforts in assisting students with academic and career decisions. Recipients include:
Shari Dunn-Norman, an associate professor of geological sciences and engineering.
Kurt Kosbar, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
Hank Pernicka, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.
Harold Wagner, a lecturer in the civil, architectural and environmental engineering department. Wagner earned a bachelor’s degree in physics in 1968, a master’s degree in engineering management in 1974 and a master’s degree in civil engineering in 1976.
The Robert V. Wolf Alumni Service Award recognizes the service of alumni and friends to the university and to the Miner Alumni Association. Recipients include:
Jean Holley, executive vice president and chief information officer for Tellabs in Naperville, Ill. Holley obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1981.
David Schepers, vice president of Energy Delivery Technical Services for AmerenUE in St. Louis. Schepers received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1975.
Honorary Life Membership is being awarded to Peter and Betty Jane Kinyon for important service to the campus and the alumni association. The Kinyons are Miner athletics fans who retired to Rolla and are active supporters of Missouri S&T.
In addition to recognizing individuals, regional sections of the alumni association will be honored. A group from Houston has been named Outstanding Section for 2009 for the highest degree of service to the university during the past year. The Carolinas Piedmont Section will receive the Phoenix Award, which is given to the regional group that has improved the most over the course of one year when it comes to involvement with the university and dedication.