The Alumni Association went searching in Jefferson City for this year’s Outstanding Alumni awards.

Taking home the honors this year are State Sen. Gary Nodler, State Rep. Ron Richard and State Rep. Marilyn Ruestman. All are graduates from Missouri Southern, and they were all heavily involved in seeking out the Southern name change for the institution.

“We’re proud of the winners,” said Lee Pound, director of the Alumni Association. “All of them helped Missouri Southern become a university.”

Nodler, a 1972 Southern graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science, was elected in November 2002 to the Missouri State Senate.

In 1991, Nodler was appointed to serve as a member of the Rural Policy Working Group, a cabinet-level working group of the Economic Policy Council at the White House.

The Joplin resident wasn’t expecting the honor.

“It was very honoring,” Nodler said.

Nodler said he thought it was a good idea Southern chose alumni from the state legislature as winners this year.

“The timing was really good,” Nodler said. “The name change bill has significant impact on the future of the University and the region.”

Ruestman represents parts of McDonald and Newton counties and was elected to the House in November 2002.

She was elected treasurer of the freshman class of the 92nd General Assembly.

Ruestman is a recipient of the Woman of the Year award from the Missouri Federated Republican Women.

During her time at Southern, she attained a bachelor’s degree from Southern and her master’s degree from Pittsburg State University.

Ruestman was unavailable for comment for this story.

Ron Richard, who represents portions of Newton and Jasper counties, was also surprised and excited by the honor.

“Any time you’re recognized by the institution you graduated from it makes you feel gracious and humble,” Richard said. “I was very surprised and very pleased.”

Richard was elected to the House in November 2002.

He is the former mayor of Joplin, serving from 1994-1997.

“I’m very honored to join a long list of graduates that have received this award,” Richard said.

Along with the Outstanding Alumni awards, the Alumni Association presented its annual Lionhearted Awards.

This year’s winners were Missouri state representatives Bryan Stevenson, Ed Emery, Jack Goodman, Steve Hunter, Larry Gene Taylor and Kevin Wilson.