David Andereck was such an exceptional student he was able to skip two grades in elementary school and graduate from high school at age 16. While in school, his teachers fostered his passion for science and math, leading him to pursue a degree in physics from Missouri State University. Ultimately, his education resulted in earning a Ph.D. from Rutgers University with the goal of becoming a physics professor.

In 1983, he joined the faculty at Ohio State University, where he ultimately served 14 years as senior associate dean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. His research focused on hydrodynamics, astrophysics and high-power laser interaction with matter physics. He is currently an emeritus professor of physics.

His extensive list of research, publications, presentations and accolades, caused his nominator to refer to him as the “Neil deGrasse Tyson of Springfield Public Schools.” Andereck has conducted research for NASA, is the author of one book and 138 articles and papers and has sponsored 28 student research projects.

He has maintained strong ties to southwest Missouri while serving for 15 years on Missouri State University’s Physics Advisory Board. He is passionate about mentoring students interested in physics and has even helped fund scholarships to ensure they are able to further their education.

Tim Garrison’s sense of patriotism and desire to serve his country were sparked during a high school band trip to Washington, D.C. Since then his journey has led him to foreign lands where he defended freedom, and back to the United States, where he fought for justice in its courtrooms.

Today, he is the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. As the top-ranking federal law enforcement official, he leads the battle against federal crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics within his jurisdiction. His 10 years of experience as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District in Springfield helped prepare him for the job.

After graduating from Drury University, Garrison attended Marine Corps Officer Candidates School. He entered the service with an officer’s commission and served as a military prosecutor. He served four years of active duty and is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. Through his service, Garrison has earned numerous military decorations, including the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He has also received awards for outstanding trial advocacy and appellate advocacy.

Garrison also serves as Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. 

For almost 30 years, Larry Hartley was employed by NASA at the Johnson Space Center where his work supported Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. As a NASA trajectory engineer, he provided on-console mission support during the first Apollo moon landing 50 years ago. Trajectory techniques he developed helped extend the lunar stay time for astronauts on all flights following Apollo 11. During his career, he also supported the Apollo 9 rehearsal and the Apollo 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 missions.

While he was studying physics and mathematics at Missouri State University, Hartley watched with interest as the space race heated up. A random phone call to one of his professors helped Hartley land a job with NASA right out of college. 

After leaving NASA, he had a distinguished career in the private sector, which included helping to determine the cause of the Challenger explosion and developing fixes which enabled Space Shuttle missions to continue.

He helped pioneer computer security techniques to protect NASA resources as the internet was emerging in the 1980s. As a result, he was honored by NASA with the coveted Silver Snoopy Award. This is an award presented by an astronaut in recognition of an individual’s contributions to flight safety and mission success.

Hartley currently serves as an adjunct professor of management at Lone Star College-Kingwood near Houston.