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Cannedy honored with Arthur F. Beyer Distinguished Alumnus Award

Andy Newberry
22 October 2025
10 min read

Each year during homecoming festivities, the six colleges of Midwestern State University honor alumni who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments and careers have brought credit to the university. Honorees must be distinguished in their profession or life’s work. They must be a person of integrity and demonstrated ability who will inspire others by their recognition. They must reflect the importance of their education at MSU Texas and show pride and a continuing interest in their alma mater. They must have earned a degree from MSU Texas or completed at least 12 semester credit hours at MSU Texas.

In addition to the Distinguished Alumni honors, the Arthur F. Beyer Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented to a recipient who has continually brought honor to MSU Texas through his or her accomplishments. It emphasizes lifetime achievement in a field. College award recipients are eligible for the Arthur F. Beyer award the following year. This is the 31st year for Distinguished Alumni honors.

Arthur F. Beyer Distinguished Alumnus

Mac Cannedy, Jr. ‘67

Mac W. Cannedy has been a staple in Wichita Falls for more than half a century as a certified public accountant and a contributor to the community at large. Cannedy attended Reagan Junior High and Wichita Falls High School before the 2025 Arthur F. Beyer Distinguished Alumni Award winner came to Midwestern State University.

Cannedy

Mac fondly remembers fraternity activities and taking classes from professors Bob Madera and Marjorie Reader. He was the treasurer for Delta Sigma Pi and worked as a teaching assistant to Reader.

Mac has been employed for 51 years at Freemon, Shapard & Story, which is the oldest active CPA firm registered with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. He has been married to Connie Cloer Cannedy, a 1989 MSU graduate, for 57 years. Mac proudly points out that all three of his brothers – Dennis, Curtis, and Randy – and their spouses are all MSU Texas graduates.

Mac's impressive list of accomplishments and honors includes several notable recognitions. In 2022, the Cannedy Greek Commons at MSU Texas was dedicated in his honor, and in 2014, the Mac and Connie Cannedy Event Hall at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art was celebrated. Additionally, Mac was honored with a plaque in the MSU Texas Legacy Walk the same year.

Spirit Recipient

Debbie Barrow ’78, ‘91

During her time as a student at Midwestern State University, Debbie Baker Barrow dove headfirst into campus life. She served four years in student government, including as vice president in her senior year. Debbie was a member and president of Phi Chi Theta business fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega theatre honor society, the Artist-Lecture Series Committee, and Cap and Gown (now Mortar Board). She also served on the Council of Presidents for three years, leading the group for two of them.

Debbie Barrow

Some of Debbie’s favorite memories include the lively days in Killingsworth Hall, theatre and music productions, and the excitement of Dome Magic during basketball games, complete with the theme “Goin’ to Kansas City.” One unforgettable highlight was Homecoming 1977, when England Dan and John Ford Coley performed on campus. When an opening act was needed, Debbie and her friends formed the Blair-McDaniel Band, debuting before 5,000 fans in Ligon Coliseum.

Debbie credits several MSU Texas mentors for shaping her journey, including Dr. D.L. Ligon, Dr. Art Beyer, Dean Viola Grady, Dr. June Kable, Don “Captain” Henschel, Geneva McWhorter, Leonard Dowlearn, Dr. Mike Flavin, and Dr. Ernie Dover. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in office administration in 1978 and her master’s degree in political science in 1997. 

Prothro-Yeager College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Allison Dyess ‘92

Allison Dyess arrived at MSU Texas as a transfer student. The Brownfield, Texas, native left as a proud graduate from the Prothro-Yeager College of Humanities & Social Sciences in 1992.

Allison Dyess

Allison served as a resident assistant in Killingsworth Hall from 1990 to 1992, building friendships with students not just from Texas but from all over the world. Her academic journey was shaped by the English Department, where she fell in love with the American Romantic period and writers like Emerson, Poe, Hawthorne, and Whitman. She fondly remembers professors like Dr. Harry Brown, Dr. Jeff Campbell—who guided her through a Directed Reading course on Twain—and Dr. James Hoggard.

Allison has represented the U.S. government in many places, including Afghanistan, Albania, China, northern Iraq, Pakistan, and Turkey. She’s visited 50 countries, including some of the world’s least-traveled destinations like Nauru, Tuvalu, and Kiribati. Volunteering at Sheppard Air Force Base to help NATO pilots practice conversational English led to a career that spanned the globe.

Gordon T. & Ellen West College of Education & Professional Studies

Amanda Garcia ’06, ‘12

Amanda Garcia has a vision to create a great learning environment for young students. Garcia’s plan for her own future as a leader took shape during a very busy time of her life as a college student at Midwestern State. She managed two jobs while earning her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2006. She came back to MSU Texas to earn her Master of Education with a Bilingual Education Emphasis in 2012.

Amanda Garcia

Amanda is the current principal at Southern Hills Elementary in Wichita Falls. She grew up in the small town of Goree, Texas, and was thankful to attend a school close enough to home for her to frequently see her mother.

Amanda began her career with Wichita Falls Independent School District in 2006 as a teacher, and transitioned to administration in 2015 as Assistant Principal at Southern Hills Elementary.

Amanda admired professors Dr. Emerson Capps, Dr. Leann Curry, and Dr. Ann Estrada at MSU for helping her along her journey.

Dillard College of Business Administration

Terry Patton ‘84

Terry Patton became a great professor at Midwestern State University with analytical skills he learned from his father, Elmo, along with a love for learning from his mother, Anita.

But not long before that, Terry connected with wonderful professors who inspired him to discover many new interests. Terry spent the past 19 years serving the students of MSU Texas as a distinguished professor, including earning the 2024 Hardin Professor Award. He retired in Spring 2025 and received granted Professor Emeritus status.

Terry Patton

MSU Texas Provost Marcy Brown Marsden called Terry one of the nation’s top experts in governmental accounting. He served as Dillard College dean from 2012-17 as an “outstanding servant-leader.” He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Terry’s professional career started at Mathis, West, Huffines and Company in Wichita Falls, auditing local governments. That led him to Texas Tech University, where he worked for Dr. Robert J. Freeman, one of the leading professors in the country who specialized in governmental accounting. He worked eight years for Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) before returning home to work at MSU Texas. During his tenure at Midwestern State, he continued to be active in the governmental accounting arena – both academically and professionally. He currently serves on the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board.

Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts

Darrell Franklin '93

Darrell Franklin is a proud member of the Wichita Falls community and is well-known for his long-standing career at KFDX TV-3, where he has wore many hats as a reporter, anchor, producer, and news director.

Darrell Franklin

One of his favorite memories is from his time as a member of the Golden Thunder Marching Band at Midwestern State University (MSU). Darrell started playing the trumpet back in junior high at Iowa Park Junior High and continued through Iowa Park High School. It was such a thrill for him to perform on the field at Memorial Stadium when football returned to MSU in 1988!

His journey in media really took off at MSU, where he fondly remembers interviewing the legendary coach Gerald Stockton—yes, the one the court at D.L. Ligon Coliseum is named after! Darrell is especially grateful to faculty members Carla Bolin, Pamela Morgan Davis, and Paul Cook for their support and guidance as he learned many lessons that carried over into his media career.

Robert D. & Carol Gunn College Health Sciences & Human Services

Billy Russell '93

Billy Russell’s story isn’t one of campus clubs or student government — it’s one of quiet determination, hard work, and unwavering faith. While attending Midwestern State University, Billy, born in Denton, Texas, wasn’t just a student. He was working full-time as a patient transporter at the hospital, completing clinical training in radiology at Bethania Hospital, and still carving out time for family and worship on Sundays. His college years were a balancing act, and though he didn’t hold any offices or join student organizations, he was building something far more lasting — a life of purpose.

Billy Russell

One of Billy’s most cherished memories from MSU is deeply personal: sharing the college experience with the woman who would become his wife. Jeannie stood by his side through those formative years, and together they’ve built a life filled with love, faith, and family. They’ve now been married for over 32 years.

Billy is a senior account manager with Shimadzu Medical Systems. He was the catalyst that brought MSU and Shimadzu together – leading to a multi-million-dollar corporate sponsorship and the naming of The Shimadzu School of Radiologic Sciences at Midwestern State.

From his time as a student, Billy remembers Beth Veale as a great teacher and as someone who truly cared. He also holds deep respect for Jeff Killion and Lynette Watts, two leaders in the Radiology Program who continue to inspire him.

McCoy College of Science, Mathematics & Engineering

Tim Kelton '99

Tim Kelton was always planning his next adventure. Where others might dream about vacations that involve sipping cocktails and relaxing on the beach, his perfect trip required months of intense physical training, studying topo maps, and optimizing his nutrition plan.

Tim Kelton

Tim’s drive and lifelong passion for adventure was apparent from his early childhood days. Born in Philadelphia to Don and Elva Kelton in 1974, his family moved to Newton, Kansas, when he was six years old. Tim was the oldest of four siblings—big brother to Josh and Michael Kelton and Melissa Fraser. It was in Kansas that his immense talent in cycling first emerged. At age 13, he did his first Biking Across Kansas event, riding 500 miles over eight days. Although he was among the smallest riders in the pack, his goal was to be the first to finish each day.

Tim went on to be a collegiate athlete, riding on the cycling team at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. He also spent several years as a pro cyclist in France.

Kelton passed away in 2024. MSU Cycling has named a race in his honor and held that event in September.

GOLD Award (Graduate of the Last Decade)

Courtney Hoover ’20, ’24

Courtney Hoover, a Fort Worth native, became active at MSU Texas, serving as vice president of operations and then chapter president of Alpha Phi Sorority. After discovering her passion for business in a class taught by Dr. Michael Mills, she made history as the first MSU Texas student to declare a nonprofit minor and intern with the Center for Nonprofit Management and Leadership. She praises Dr. Sonia White and Marla Malone for nurturing her love of volunteer work and nonprofit service.

Courtney Hoover

After graduating in 2020, Courtney went to work at the Arts Council of Wichita Falls where she managed a large-scale, funded renovation of a historic Wichita Falls building. In 2022, Courtney returned to MSU Texas as a grant specialist in the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research. Just last year, Courtney was selected as an inaugural recipient of the Emerging Excellence in Research Administration Award by the National Council of Research Administrators. In 2025 she was promoted to Sponsored Programs manager to better serve the MSU Texas faculty. Courtney enjoys volunteering in the Wichita Falls community.