Dawn (Wellington) Tartaglione (’90)
Dawn (Wellington) Tartaglione is a proud 1990 bachelor of science graduate from Truman State University.
She grew up in Maryville, MO, the oldest of four children with loving parents Ron and Peggy Wellington. She was grateful to be a Pershing Scholar and loved being the piano accompanist for NEMO Singers. She enjoyed Gamma Phi Delta, a local NMSU sorority, and was one of the founding members of the Theta Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi. She worked in periodicals in the library and in Dr. Cornell’s lab doing brain and liver surgery on rats and mice. These opportunities prepared her well for medical school, and she graduated from Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1995. She then went on to become the first female osteopathic physician to become a neurosurgeon, completing her residency in Detroit, MI in 2001 through Michigan State University.
While in Kirksville, she met her husband of 32 years, Andrew Tartaglione. On many occasions through the years, they have worked together in operating rooms with Andrew providing anesthesia for her neurosurgery patients. Those have always been her favorite cases.
She practiced neurosurgery in Michigan and Oklahoma for 9 years each and is now in Dover, DE since late 2018 at Bayhealth. As the Medical Director of Neurosurgery and Department of Surgery Chair, she enjoys mentoring young surgeons and having a great neurosurgery team with eight clinicians.
The opportunity to serve on the Truman State University Foundation Board, including in leadership, has been one of the most fulfilling activities of her life. Spending time with University leadership, Truman alumni on the Board and with the Advancement Office leaders and staff was truly amazing.
She has enjoyed serving as President of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and the American Osteopathic Foundation as well. She was honored in 2014 with the national Ursa Major award from Alpha Phi for achievements in her field.
The Alumni of the Year distinction recognizes Truman graduates whose life’s work is representative of the core values the University strives to instill in all its students:
- intellectual integrity and informed ethical values
- a focus on public service and the betterment of society
- the willingness to exercise personal and intellectual leadership
Recipients of the Alumni of the Year Award
2023: Susan Plassmeyer (’86)
2022: Richard (’70) & Kathleen (Gilbert) Theriault (’71)
2021: Bill “Woody” Woodall (’79)
2019: Terry (’68) & Faye (’68) Whitworth
2018: Dick Erzen (’49) & Edie (Ford) Erzen (’49)
2017: Kenneth “Ken” Rickli (’65)
2016: Daniel “Dan” Shepherd (’79) & Janet “Jan” (Kreimeyer) Shepherd (’76)
2015: Steve Justice (’70, ’81)
2014: Mike McClaskey (’85) & Janet (Yearns) McClaskey (’84)
2013: Mary (Rhodes) Russell (’80)
2012: Jack Magruder (’57) & Sue (Brimer) Magruder (’55, ’77)
2011: Steve Rose (’69)
2010: Larry Quisenberry (’66, ’75) & Sharron (Bailey) Quisenberry (’66)
2009: Greg A. Gerhardt (’79)
2008: Lanny Morley (’62, ’64) & Beth (Fisher) Morley (’63)
2007: Randa Rawlins (’79)
2006: Guy Burton (’53, ’55) & Betty (McKanna) Burton
2005: Eugene Croarkin Sr. (’49, ’52)
2004: Dwain Horn (’50)
2003: Calvin Roebuck (’57)
2002: Linda Miller (’70)
2001: Dean Rosebery (’41) & Amy (Ayres) Rosebery (’43)
2000: Carole Kennedy (’72)
1999: Chuck Foudree (’66)
1998: B.D. “Bud” Hunter (’50)
1997: Joseph Hasenstab (’60)
1996: Steve Gaw (’78) & Fannie (Bowdish) Gaw (’84)
1995: James C.C. Chen (’86)
1994: Ruth Warner Towne (’39)
1993: Frederick “Fritz” Lauer (’50)
1992: Ray Bentele (’60) & Mary (Cox) Bentele (’60)
1991: Larry Moore (’67)