Princeton, Albany Natives Join Northwest Foundation

MARYVILLE, MO – A Princeton native and an Albany native are among seven new board members of the Northwest Foundation which helps guide and support Northwest Missouri State University’s advancement.

Mike Kelly graduated from Northwest in 1978 after graduating from Princeton High School. He retired in 2020 after 35 years with Thomas McGee Group in Kansas City.

Dr. Terry Barnes, originally from Albany, earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwest in 1970 and went on to complete his Ph.D. in higher education administration. He retired in 2016 from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Other members joining the board are Jody Athen of Hamburg, Iowa; Matt Gaarder of Maryville, who serves as the public announcer for Bearcat football, basketball and baseball games; Jennifer Hewitt, a native of Rosdendale; Susan Johnson Hockensmith, a native of Atlantic, Iowa; and Rebecca Sullivan, a native of Maryville.

The Northwest Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, develops and stewards philanthropic resources for the benefit of Northwest Missouri State University and its students. It is governed by a 36-member volunteer board and staffed by members of Northwest’s Office of University Advancement.