Missouri University of Science and Technology awarded five honorary professional degrees during winter commencement ceremonies held Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20. The degrees recognize the outstanding Missouri S&T graduates for professional achievement.

The following S&T alumni received professional degrees:

Paul Daniel Booher of Springfield, Missouri, chief operating officer for Enactus, who earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees in civil engineering from Missouri S&T in 1980 and 1981, respectively. A veteran of the retail industry, Booher held senior leadership positions with several Fortune 500 companies, including Kohl’s, Office Depot, Toys ‘R’ Us and Walmart Stores Inc. He was a founding officer of the Einstein Bros. Bagels start-up and helped grow the company to more than 600 stores. Through Enactus, an international non-profit organization that uses entrepreneurship to improve the lives of people in need, Booher is pursuing his passion to make a difference in the world. He is a member of the Missouri S&T Academy of Civil Engineers.

Gary Joseph Frossard of St. Louis, president of Kadean Construction Co., who earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering management from Missouri S&T in 1973. Frossard began his career with McCarthy Brothers Co. in St. Louis, then joined Paric Corp. as vice president in 1984. In 1990, he started his own construction company, eventually buying the assets and name of Kadean Construction Co. in 1996. Kadean, a St. Louis-based design-build general contracting firm, is a supporter of the Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity. At Missouri S&T, Frossard was an active member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, where he held the positions of social chair, vice president and student council representative.

Margaret C. Montana of Houston, Texas, executive vice president for U.S. Pipeline and special projects in the Americas for Shell Downstream Inc. and chief executive officer, president and board director for Shell Midstream Partners, who earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Missouri S&T in 1976. Her career with Shell spans 37 years, beginning as a chemical engineer in refining. She has served as general manager of distribution for Shell’s Asia Pacific business, vice president of supply USA, vice president of global distribution, and executive vice president of supply and distribution. Montana is chair of the American Petroleum Institute Downstream Committee and is leading a study on emergency preparedness for the U.S. National Petroleum Council.

Paul W. Niewald of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, director and chief engineer for the T-X Program in Boeing Military Aircraft, who earned a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from Missouri S&T in 1985. Niewald first joined McDonnell Douglas in 1985 as an aerodynamics engineer on the F/A-18 program and he has held diverse positions with increasing responsibility, including engineering and business-related leadership positions within the company. Niewald holds a master of science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Washington University’s Olin School of Business. A member of the Missouri S&T Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers, Niewald has authored several technical papers, including articles in the Journal of Aircraft.

Mitchell R. Roper of Southlake, Texas, president of BOPCO L.P., who earned a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering from Missouri S&T in 1982. After seven years in various engineering and business positions with Tenneco Oil Co. and various affiliates of Tennessee Pipeline, Roper joined Aquila Energy in transportation and marketing. He served as vice president of marketing as part of the acquisition of Clajon Gas Co. and was later named managing vice president. Roper later served as senior vice president for Sid Richardson Carbon & Energy Co. and senior vice president of Southern Union Energy Services. In January 2007, Roper was appointed president of Southern Union Gas Services. He has held his current position since July 2007.