Springboard Creative owner Kevin Fullerton received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Northwest Missouri State University during the annual Alumni Awards Banquet. The award recognizes Northwest alumni for their exceptional professional and personal achievement and extraordinary distinction in their chosen field.

“It is indeed an honor for the Northwest Alumni Association to each year publicly recognize some of the many talented and deserving Northwest alumni and friends who have and are accomplishing such great things in their lives,” said Steve Sutton, director of alumni relations. “It is with great pride that we host and honor these Bearcats for their exceptional professional and personal achievements, extraordinary distinction in their fields and devotion to Northwest.”

“It is with great pride that we host and honor these Bearcats for their exceptional professional and personal achievements, extraordinary distinction in their fields and devotion to Northwest.”

Fullerton graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1988. He maintains strong ties to his alma mater. He has served on the Mass Communications Professional Advisory Committee since 1995, works with the Tower and Northwest Missourian publications students, serves as professional adviser to the advertising campaigns class, speaks to classes and mentors students. He also helped establish the Dunlap Scholar Award and scholarship in memory of his friend and classmate Michael Dunlap.

“The thing is, I did it to give back to the University that did so much for me,” said Fullerton during his speech. “But here’s the problem, I get more from the students than they get from me. They feed my optimism, recharge my batteries and remind me that I have a great career. So then I end up owing Northwest even more. And then I have more to pay back. It’s an ugly, vicious, brutal circle.

“Thank you Northwest for all you have done for me. I hope to eventually pay you back. Though I don’t think it’s possible.”