By Mike Greife,
April 12, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO – Jennifer Hermanson, a marketing and fashion major from Neosho, and
Robert Hilvert, a computer information systems major from Schell City, recently were
named the 2017 recipients of the University of Central Missouri’s prestigious Charno
Award.
The award is presented annually to the top male and female member of the graduating
class at UCM.
Hermanson, the daughter of Brad and Hope Hermanson of Neosho, is a 2012 graduate of
East Newton High School. During her college career at UCM, she served as a service
day site leader for Homecoming and the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration student
community service days, a student ambassador, orientation leader and an alumni ambassador,
as well as involvement with several non-profit organizations. She served as vice president
of accountability for the Panhellenic Executive Council, vice president of programming
and ritual for Alpha Sigma Alpha social sorority, project manager for Enactus, and
chief of operations for the Alumni Ambassadors.
Hilvert, the son of Robert Hilvert of Harwood and Tanya Hilvert of Schell City, is
a 2013 graduate of Northeast Vernon County High School. He is a member of The Honors
College and has served in many positions of leadership throughout his academic career
at UCM. He served as a Mule Team Leader and a member of The Thirst Project and participated
in service days for Homecoming and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. He
also participated in Big Pink Volleyball, a breast cancer fundraiser, and assisted
with several charity walks and runs in Warrensburg.
His academic involvement includes serving as president of his Integrative Business
Experience team and selection as a Steward Scholar. He served as president of Order
of Omega, as well as president, vice president and several offices in Sigma Pi fraternity.
He has also served on the Fraternity/Sorority Judicial Board.
Hermanson and Hilvert will be recognized and honored at the spring 2017 commencement
ceremonies May 5 and 6.
The Charno Award is named for George Charno, Sr., a Kansas City attorney who established
the award in 1940 to recognize the outstanding male member of the graduating class.
The companion award for the outstanding female class member was established in 1941.
