Pony Express Council celebrates local Scouting leaders and volunteers

On Saturday, March 29, members and friends of the Pony Express Council, Scouting America gathered at the St. Joseph Country Club to celebrate the success and achievements of Scouting leaders and community volunteers from the region.

With over 200 guests in attendance, the evening kicked off with a social hour and plated dinner before the awards ceremony.

Hosted by Ed Stroud, Vice-Chair of Strategic Planning for the Pony Express Council, the event highlighted the professional staff and volunteer committees. David Lewis, the newly installed Council Chairman, also provided insights on the vision and direction of Scouting and the Council.

The evening's program mixed in video presentations, the handing out of newly designated awards, and special recognitions for attendees at all levels of the organization. Also introduced to the audience were new logos and branding for Camp Geiger and the Council’s youth recruitment campaign.

The backbone of Scouting are the volunteers that give countless hours of time and knowledge to help advance the skills of young people throughout Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas.

Special awards and recognitions were highlighted by the presentation of two Silver Beaver Awards given to Mark Corwin of Gallatin, MO and Eugene Lickenbrock III of St. Joseph, MO. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest level of recognition given to an adult volunteer at the council level.

Corwin, the father of 4 Eagle Scouts, has served in unit leadership positions for 27 years, including both Scoutmaster and Cubmaster of Troop and Pack 67. He is a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say’s White Coup Society, and he currently leads his SHED ministry, a men’s bible study focusing on marriage, healing, discipleship and studying the Word.

Lickenbrock, an Eagle Scout himself as a youth, has been highly involved in Cub and Scouts BSA recruitment and unit level leadership in the Pony Express Council for over 15 years. During this time he has also served as chairman of many Pony Express Council annual events such as Conclaves, Pow-Wows, Pinewood Derbys, and Camporees.

Other Local awards were given and named for recipients, including:

H. Roe Bartle Innovation in Scouting Award- Given to Drs. Robert Duncan and Annette Sobel, of Lubbock, TX, for their leading edge 21st Century Scouting Program, launching this summer at Camp Geiger. 21st Century Scouting is about combining the values and principles of traditional Scouting with the tools that young adults will need to thrive in the modern professional environment. The program will introduce Scouts to new technologies on Camp Geiger such as 3-D printers, laser engravers, and the software to support these tools. Duncan is currently a Professor and The President’s Distinguished Chair of Physics at Texas Tech University. Sobel is currently an Associate Professor of the Department of Medical Education at Texas Tech University. She is retired US Army and US Air National Guard, and served as Major General in the Arizona Air National Guard.

Richard N. Berger Community Leader Award- This new award was named for and given to Rick Berger of Atchison, KS. Berger has been a key leader and contributor of the Friends of Scouting Campaign for several decades, and he currently serves on the Pony Express Council Executive Board. Within the Atchison community, Berger is known for his ability to find financial support and leadership to promote vital community projects that bring them to reality. He also works to cultivate new leadership from younger generations to ensure inspiration and activity well into the future.

Excellence in Marketing Award- Scouting America’s message is as important as ever as it continues to expand on what Scouting is and does for local communities. This award was given to Andrew W. Gerhardt, of St. Joseph, MO for his work in developing the new Camp Geiger brand identity and Camp Geiger website.

Stealth Scouter Award- Not every volunteer’s contributions are visible to everyday Scouts and Scouters. It takes a community to prepare future generations. To recognize the unseen groundwork, the Stealth Scouter Award was established to honor an individual for their many years of quiet leadership. The recipient of this award was John Rupert of Cameron, MO. In addition to unit level leadership and Camp Geiger Facilities work, John served as the District Commissioner of the Grand River Trails District of the Pony Express Council for several years.

William I. McMurray Distinguished Eagle Award- This award is given to Eagle Scouts who have gone above and beyond in their careers, communities, and service to others, embodying the Scout Oath and Law throughout their lives. Bill McMurray, of St. Joseph, MO, embodies that spirit everyday and this award is named for him. McMurray currently serves as the Vice Chair of Membership for the Pony Express Council. He has previously served in many executive roles for the council and dozens of other volunteer organizations in the St. Joseph Community. Bill has also served his community as a public administrator and completed a term as Mayor in 2022.

Pony Express Council Service to Scouting Award- The evening was concluded with a capstone Service to Scouting Award. Clark W. Hampton, who’s dedication and service to community is well known in all corners of Northwest Missouri, has been a leader in the Pony Express Council for over 6 decades. He has served on the Council Executive Board since 1970, including a 3 year term as President and over 15 years in Vice President positions. Hampton has served on dozens of volunteer boards in the St. Joseph community and has twice received the Person of the Year Distinguished Citizen Award from the City of St. Joseph, including in 2023 when Hampton and his wife, Nancy, received the honor together. Nancy was also honored at the Scouting Recognition Dinner on Saturday with a large bouquet of flowers and round of applause for her support of Clark and his decades long service to Scouting.

Key 3 Recognitions- Kevin Bailey, of Trenton, MO, Lisa Clark, of Maysville, MO, and Alan Franks, of St. Joseph, MO, were recognized as the Pony Express Council Key 3 Officers of 2024. The Key 3 positions include: Council Chairman (Bailey), Council Commissioner (Clark), and Council Scout Executive (Franks). Bailey and Clark, each finishing the tenure of their respective positions, also received special gifts designed and presented by Franks to thank them for their dedicated service.

James E. West Fellowship Awards- The James E. West Fellowship is a nationally recognized honor of Scouting America given for individuals who surpass various levels of financial contribution to local Scouting endowment funds. Jeremy Clevenger, of Chillicothe, MO, received his Gold Level pin. Brent Seevers, of St. Joseph, MO, received his Silver Level pin, and Maryeva Beesley, of St. Joseph, MO, received her Bronze Level pin. Joshua Carpenter, Thomas Jaynes, Peter Murphy, and Raymond Stockstad were also recognized for their Bronze Level contributions, but were unable to attend the dinner on Saturday night.

Camp Geiger Rough Rider Award- The Rough Rider Award was presented to two recipients: Loren Hein, of Basehor, KS, and Alex Zanatta, of St. Joseph, MO. The Rough Rider Award is given to individuals for outstanding service to Camp Geiger facilities and grounds. Hein and Zanatta both volunteer regularly on Camp Geiger improvement projects. Hein is also a member of the Council Facilities Committee.