Dr. Al Cade, Missouri Southern’s former dean of the School of Education who passed away on Feb. 21, was awarded the 2015 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education April 7 during a ceremony at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. In attendance at the ceremony were several members of Cade’s family, including his wife Dorothy who accepted the award on his behalf. Also in attendance were University president Alan Marble and Pat Lipira, vice president of academic affairs.

“Al would have been very ‘humbled’ to receive this award,” said Lipira. “His passion was ‘serving others’ and he did not like the spotlight to be on him. [He is] very deserving.”

According to Lipira, who is in charge of picking the recipient of the award for Missouri Southern, the academic affairs office usually rotates the nomination for the award among the different schools at Missouri Southern. With this year’s nomination already scheduled to come from the School of Education, Cade was the obvious choice and the University’s four deans unanimously agreed.

“With the loss of Al and the contributions that he has made to our school and our students, it was a very easy selection process,” said Lipira, who had been friends with Cade since they met in the late ‘70s while attending Northwest Missouri State. “I am thrilled that he will be recognized at the state level.”

The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education is presented to an outstanding faculty member from each participating higher education institution in the state. A non-monetary recognition, it is based on effective teaching, effective advising, service to the university community, commitment to high standards of excellence and success in nurturing student achievement.

During his 28 years at Missouri Southern, Cade served as a kinesiology instructor, assistant football coach, chair of the Teacher Education Department and, most recently, dean of the School of Education. Additionally, he served on state-level education committees and was very active in the Joplin community, serving as a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club, the Miracle League and the Joplin Human Rights Commission, among other organizations.

“Dr. Cade was one of the most widely respected faculty members on our campus,” wrote Lipira in Cade’s nomination form.

Following Cade’s passing, Southern worked with Cade’s family to set up a memorial scholarship in his honor. Contributions for the Dr. Al Cade Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made through the Southern Foundation office or the Multiple Myeloma Cancer Research Foundation.