Missouri Valley College's Valley Women Hall of Famers present at the 2008 tea Friday, April 25, included (front row L to R) Sally Campbell, Jean Redford, Marsha Lashley, Betty Swisher, Kathryn Knipschild, Mary Lou Porter, (back row L to R) Diana Malan, Ramona Bullington, Vickie Gibler McCloud, Donna Huston, Jane Huff, Sandy Machholz and Darlene Arnett. (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

Missouri Valley College's Valley Women organization honored three women at its annual tea Friday, April 25.

The 40th inductee into the Valley Women's Hall of Fame, the 2008 Outstanding Senior Woman, and Valley Women Scholarship recipient were recognized.

Marsha Lashley, MVC registrar, was inducted into the Valley Women's Hall of Fame. Lashley, who will be recognized May 2 for 25 years of service with MVC, began her first job with the college in 1983 as a residence hall director. She was later promoted to director of housing and then to director of campus life. In 1993, she went to work in the registrar's office and was promoted to registrar in 1995.

"I found my true career when I was promoted to registrar," Lashley said. "With the help of Ed Leslie, I honed my computer skills and implemented the student information system network that we use today."

Lashley says she's fortunate to have worked for some excellent leaders in her 25-year career at MVC.

"I've had great mentors at Missouri Valley College: Ken Bryant, Cindy Miller, John Gault, Ed Leslie, Jamie Gold, Diana Malan, and many more, but most recently, Dr. Bonnie Humphrey," Lashley said. "I am very grateful that Dr. Humphrey has given me the freedom to develop new programs for MVC, like the correspondence course program. and I'm looking forward to moving most of those courses to online beginning this fall."

Lashley says that MVC is much more than a place to work.

"Where else can you meet 500 new people every year from different cultures and experiences?" Lashley commented. "I also work with a great staff with years of experience, which has made my job easier and allowed me to branch out in other areas. It's a real blessing to get up in the morning and look forward to coming to work."

Lashley is proud to be part of the Valley Women organization.

"I am truly honored to be inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame. When Sandy Machholz informed me that I was selected, my immediate reaction was 'I'm not old enough,' but Sandy reminded me that this is my 25th year and I'm nearing the end of my 40's," Lashley said with a laugh. "Okay, so I am old enough, but working with college students really makes you feel young at heart."

Lashley is an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Marshall, where she serves as the Clerk of Session. She's also involved in the Stitch-by-Stitch Quilters Guild and Missouri State Quilters Guild. Professionally, she is active in MACRAO (Missouri Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers), AVECO (Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials, MODLA (Missouri Long Distance Learning Association). She is also MVC faculty athletic representative for the HAAC and NAIA.

Pictured (from left) are Nicole Christensen, 2008 Valley Women Outstanding Senior Woman; Lashley, 2008 Valley Women's Hall of Fame inductee; and Leah Jenkins, 2008 Valley Women scholarship recipient. (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

The Valley Women also presented Nicole Christensen with the 2008 Outstanding Senior Woman Award. She has participated in women's volleyball, was a volunteer math tutor in the Learning Center and served as a resident assistant in the women's honor hall.

Christensen, a mathematics major from Franksville, Wis., will graduate with honors May 3. The Outstanding Senior Woman is decided on the basis of scholarship, leadership, character, and service, and is voted on by MVC faculty, staff, and Valley Women members.

MVC junior Leah Jenkins was awarded the Valley Women scholarship at the event. Jenkins is a native of Litchfield, Ill., and is a member of the MVC cheerleading squad, a member of the MVC Christian sorority Gamma Alpha Lambda, and has served on the student government.

The Valley Women, an organization made up of community patrons along with faculty, staff and alumnae, began awarding the scholarship in 2003. Money for the scholarship comes from private donations and fundraisers.