Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association

2008 Young Alumni Award

The Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association had selected eight alumni who     received the University’s 2008 Young Alumni Merit Award. 

The eight were honored at a commencement luncheon at 12:15 p.m. May 10 in the Student Recreation Center and were recognized during spring commencement exercises at 2 p.m. May 10 in the Show Me Center.

Alumni who received the award were:


Nathan Thomas of Metamora, Ill., a 1995 graduate and executive director of the Center for Residential Living and Leadership at Bradley University is the award recipient from the Harrison College of Business.









Jonathan Langhans of Fenton, Mo., a 1997 graduate and teacher at the Francis Howell Scholl District in St. Charles, Mo., is the award recipient from the College of Education.









Tiffany Nneka Yeast of Harroldsburg, Ky., a 1995 graduate and executive director of the State of Kentucky Office of Human Resources is the award winner from the College of Health and Human Services.











Abbie Crites-Leoni of Cape Girardeau, Mo., a 1993 graduate and assistant U.S. Attorney in Cape Girardeau, Mo., is one of the award recipients from the College of Liberal Arts.













Dr. Carnell Jones, Jr. of Rumford, R.I., a 1993 graduate and registrar at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, is the other award recipient from the College of Liberal Arts.











Dr. Steven Tilley of Perryville, Mo., a 1994 graduate and majority floor leader for the Missouri House of Representatives, as well as optometrist, is one of the award recipients from the College of Science and Mathematics.












Dr. Shaina (Schiwitz) Reynolds of Jerseyville, Ill., a 1994 graduate and family practice physician with Illini Medical Associates is the other award recipient from the College of Science and Mathematics.














Brenten Lyon of Highland Village, Texas., a 1993 graduate and regional sales manager at Schaeffler Group USA is the award recipient from the School of Polytechnic Studies.

The Young Alumni Merit Award is given annually to honor those alumni 37 years or younger who have brought distinction to the University through professional growth, service and individual character.  The Alumni Association chooses from the list of nominees representing each college and selects the recipients. Nominations may come from faculty, staff or alumni.