Samuel Westbrook, better known as “Geno” by friends, is the coordinator of counseling in the University’s Upward Bound program. Westbrook has lived in 12 different states and four different countries, and he has traveled to many more. Read moreNorthwest counselor reflects on life of travel

While her desk sits in Martindale Hall, Assistant Professor Nina Adanin has traveled and ventured all across the globe, from the heights of the Himalayan Mountains, the scorching Middle East, the majestic Atlantic Ocean, the freezing Arctic and the humid Colombian jungles. Read moreNorthwest Assistant Professor Nina Adanin reflects on her journeys around the world

On the bottom floor of the Nodaway County Administration Center sits a large room full of old letters, collections of wills and dozens of large books full of court records going back to the county’s formation in 1845. To most people, this place would be something more elaborate than someone’… Read moreBecky Carlson helps Nodaway County unfold records from the past

Northwest junior guard Trevor Hudgins drove straight at the Northern State player directly in front of him. With the defender off-balance, Hudgins planted his right foot, angling back and left to create separation. Hudgins exploded upward, releasing his shot several feet behind the 3-point a… Read moreVinnie Vaccaro: a Northwest fan

Warm light flickered across the face of Señor Burrito co-owner Eric Dickey as he took a long-awaited break in a booth across from the entrance of his business. The restaurant was quiet, only filled with the low hum of music and the chatter of three customers as they ate burritos prepared by … Read moreThe Dickeys, Señor Burrito's hard working owners

A raucous sitcom starring four elderly friends first hit the air in 1985. “The Golden Girls” was known for its raunchy plotlines, one-liners and a cast well into their AARP memberships that acted as though they were just out of college. Four women with a passion for Northwest didn’t set out … Read moreNorthwest's very own Golden Girls

Sitting at a corner table in Board Game Cafe as the large rectangular windows displayed rows of small businesses at his back, Dannen Merrill spoke of the importance of supporting them. For Merrill, the desire to serve and his experience in finances and accounting pushed him to run for a City… Read moreDannen Merrill wants to serve

Brittany Roberts was comfortable in a city. Showing her self-described loud and colorful personality while walking around St. Louis was second nature to her. But she gave up the comfort of a packed metropolitan area to move somewhere that made her uncomfortable — Maryville. Read moreBrittany Roberts' search for discomfort

Justin Mallett, a man who works relentlessly to help underrepresented students transition onto a predominantly white campus and community, may not feel welcomed himself. Read moreJustin Mallett's adjustment

The total process took around 33 months. From the outline to endless hours spent typing away on a Google Docs to countless revisions and edits. In just under three years, redshirt sophomore Northwest football player Joe Barnes completed his novel. Read moreFrom Google Docs to the gridiron; how a Northwest football player published his own novel

Whitnee Ice’s life has been defined by goals since she was in adolescence. At just 22 years old, Ice, a senior at Northwest, said she’s already accomplished a lot. This month she’ll be graduating with two degrees: communication rhetoric and interpersonal communication. Ice wasn’t even sure s… Read moreNorthwest senior Whitnee Ice conquers her goals despite life-threatening condition

As Jasper Logan described his views on the state of national politics from the basement of the Valk Center, the building that serves as the home to Northwest’s political science department, the senior political science major was interrupted.  Read moreAs polarization grows, College Republican Jasper Logan is on a mission to civilize

Kirayle Jones stood before the distanced roundtables in an Oregon sweatshirt, black shorts and a mask. He was talking not only to the senators loosely clustered around the tables but to a laptop sitting on a chair that was the vessel to the online patrons of the meeting. It wasn’t the presid… Read moreKirayle Jones, Student Senate President in an unprecedented semester

Darren White tends to tell stories as he explains his campaign platforms and thoughts on policing. In fact, he tends to tell stories when he explains just about anything, outlining his views on things as pertinent as the duties of a sheriff’s office or as unconnected as the rising cost of hi… Read moreDarren White is running on the issues. He won't try to outrun his past

A transistor radio on the bed of his childhood room. That’s what John Coffey estimates as the beginning of his love for sports broadcasting. That love became a career as the “voice of the Bearcats,” and now Coffey’s love vaulted him into a general manager position and a corner office. It all… Read moreJohn Coffey, Voice of the Bearcats

It’s been almost six full months since COVID-19 first arrived in Missouri. Gov. Mike Parson held a press conference March 7 to announce the first patient to “test presumptive positive” for the virus, back when cases were still rare across the state and the country, still a full week before t… Read moreWhat has been the hardest part of the last six months?

A rare Democrat living in a Hopkins, Missouri, Jess Piper's passion for politics has changed since 2016. And now she's fighting to make change in rural Nodaway County.  Read moreWhy Jess Piper fights

Most people haven’t seen the small scar that sits beneath Joel Osborn’s left clavicle, the one he’s worn beneath his collarbone for almost a decade now. When they look at his narrow face and overtired green eyes, they don’t see the blemish that occupies the space a catheter once did. They do… Read moreJoel Osborn has been here before

He had taken a liking to the nearly-indestructible eyeglasses brand he had been sporting for years, but Matt Johnson grew annoyed by the need to replace them so frequently. Every six months or so, the black paint would wear off certain parts of his frames, leaving him a victim of “planned ob… Read moreMatt Johnson is out of place on the city council. But he is trying to help.

The two men stood at the center of Bearcat Arena Feb. 8 in front of a crowd of close to 2,000 people, clad in dark green ceremonial gowns. They were perhaps overdressed for the pair of basketball games the arena hosted that day, but their outfits were appropriate for the commencement in between. Read moreLifelong Bearcat 'Doc Harr' finally gets degree from Northwest

Cindy and Phil Kenkel had invited Northwest students to live in their Maryville home, which sits about a mile north of the University's campus, before they did so again in July 2019. But this time, they both acknowledged, felt different. Read moreInternational student grateful for support, hopes to finish degree at Northwest

For at least the last four years, Matt Tritten has been decidedly sure of where he is headed. Read moreA walk with Matt Tritten

In 1979, Chris Hughes was a senior in Red Oak, Iowa, and had applied for only one college. Read moreAlumnus connects with alma mater, students through new position

There’s a 16-hour, $1,000 flight separating Susan Maharjan from his hometown of Kathmandu, Nepal. Read moreNepalese student showcases cultural traditions while far from home

Nestled on a beige shelf sits a worn-out book sophomore Levi Bradley read when he was in sixth grade. The book, “The Drowning Girl” by Caitlin R. Kiernan still stands a testament to his life. Read moreAn open book: Northwest transgender student embraces identity

Cheers resonated from her apartment as she hurried downstairs — fingers fumbling through her contacts to call her mom with tears threatening to well up — after she opened an email titled, “Congratulations.” Read moreNorthwest undergraduate earns prestigious scholarship while maintaining scholarly successes

Her passion for antiques and the stories behind each started in the form of a binder filled with countless pages of magazine clippings, centerfolds and display ideas. Read moreMaryville business owner shows understanding, caring for customers through antique shop

She walks through the beige hallways tucked inside a redbrick building, hands snug in her pockets, occasionally slowing to peer into a residents room to say hello.  Read moreNorthwest senior plants fresh garden at nursing home

They had previously only used their gender neutral name privately with close friends, but upon noticing a spot for preferred name and pronouns on the Northwest application for new students, they made their decision on a whim to come out. Read moreFollowing roads less traveled: Life experiences assist student in discovering their identity

As the members of the 97th Student Senate took their respective positions, senior Alyssa Lincoln passes the torch as president to allow the new Senate to represent and aid the Bearcats in future endeavors. Read morePresident Lincoln: Senior leader leaves impact on Bearcats

While walking the long halls of the Fine Arts Department, students can often hear the familiar, lyrical notes staff accompanist Jiwon Choi creates as her hands dance across the piano keys. Read morePianist strikes chord with others

Snuggled in the corner room of the Office of Student Involvement, a bright smile and the subtle smell of tea greets students as Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Adam Gonzales offers a listening ear to everybody, no matter race or sexual identity. Read more'Adam's Glow': Staff member rises above circumstances

A hunger for knowledge and passion for animals drives senior and marine biologist major Aubrey Ewing to pursue her career through real-life experiences and internships. Read moreShell shocked: Student embraces change in internship

In a dull yellow, one-story house with a basement, complete with a silver minivan and faded blue and white swing set in the front yard, many feral and abandoned cats find comfort in the seemingly typical home. Read moreMaryville's cat lady provides safety for ferals, strays

While many people would define their life by what they have accomplished, military veteran and Northwest financial assistance counselor Chris Scroggins said he wouldn’t be where he’s at without his various teammates. Read moreSemper Fi: Local veteran praises teamwork

Senior Drake Summers, a human services and psychology double major, can often be spotted in the Office of Student Involvement. His trademark long-sleeved shirts and Northwest ambassador pullover and blond whiskers along his cheeks and chin make him easy to spot. Read moreDrake Summers: Northwest senior gives back to students

The saying goes, “you are what you eat,” and for senior Arpana Pokhrel, her cooking helps her stay connected to her Nepalese roots and explore the world around her. Read moreArpana Pokhrel: Northwest student brings flavor to life

Many people say they want to change the world and make a difference, but for pre-medical senior Kathrine Gerhardt, this isn’t just a grandiose statement. Read moreKathrine Gerhadt: Bearcat advocates for children

Raised in small town Lexington, Missouri, Northwest emergency disaster management sophomore Marisa Alvares initially looked for internships close to home in places such as in Warrensburg, Missouri. However, by a stroke of boldness and luck, Alvares landed an internship in Johnson County, Kan… Read moreMarissa Alvares: Northwest student thunders into major internship

College is often described as a chance to grow and become a new person. For senior David Anzures, this meant stepping up and becoming a leader despite his shy and introverted personality. Read moreDavid Anzures: Bearcat senior takes initiative

From Bearcat Arena to Garrett-Strong, Cassandra Alfstad bustles from one activity to another. Read moreCassandra Alfstad: Guard captain pursues passion

John Gallaher can usually be found down in the Green Tower Press office, surrounded by a sprawling mess of old copies of the “Laurel Review,” copies of his poetry book “In a Landscape” and his collage work. Read moreJohn Gallaher: Northwest professor collects memories

Jamie Hooyman, Northwest’s provost, came to Maryville to learn, laugh and, perhaps most importantly, live with a group of people that she calls family. Read moreBorn for this: Provost instills ideals of integrity

For junior media and communications student Samuel Heavens, nothing is more important than entertaining, informing and educating an audience, especially when he gets to convey his messages through comedy. Read moreMake 'em laugh: International student explores every horzion

EmpowHer, one of the latest student-started campus ministries, is made up entirely of female students and took more than just two individuals and word of mouth to bring to life. Read moreA Leap of Faith: Women of EmpowHer lift spirits on campus

For many, the smell, taste and presentation of cafeteria food can be divisive to say the least, but thanks to a cashier at the Student Union, no one comes or goes without a smile on their face. Read moreDonna's World: Northwest cashier lifts spirits while swiping Bearcat cards

Ever since Arnold Roebkes, known to his friends as Arnie or Mr. Bicycle Guy, placed some roses on the door of a local bar, he quickly became living proof that there is something more than just a small town keeping Maryville feeling like a family. Read more'Mr. Bicycle Guy': Arnold Roebkes proves positivity comes in all shapes and sizes

The Northwest Steppers aren’t just a group of dancers. They are a family within a family that always manages to proves what it can do, and is ready to prove it again when the steppers leave this week for its third consecutive trip to nationals. Read moreSteppers offer national talent: Dancing for an audience, each other and national recognition

“I always wanted to help and impact people,” senior Sylvia Brand said. “I think it took me two years to realize that while I loved art, I wasn’t passionate about it. I was passionate about helping.” Read moreSylvia Brand: Northwest senior turns tragedy into positivty

Honesty and determination are not qualities that found senior Xavier Kurth, they are qualities he adopted. Read moreXavier Kurth: Senior brings deep roots with him on, off the court