Springfield, Mo. – Dr. Gordon Pace was recently honored by the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) for his outstanding service to public education. Pace was one of eight distinguished individuals statewide to receive the association’s Friend of Education Award, a recognition reserved for non-educators who have made a significant impact on education at the local or state level.
The award was presented at the MASA Spring Conference Annual Awards Banquet on March 26, held at the Margaritaville Resort in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Dr. Pace was nominated by colleagues from the Southwest MASA Region.
Dr. Pace has been instrumental in strengthening ties between Evangel University and school districts across the state. In 2019, he launched a groundbreaking Partnership Program at Evangel designed to support school districts in building custom professional development models tailored to their specific goals. Through this initiative, Evangel offers a district-directed Master’s Degree program for teachers, allowing districts full control over coursework, curriculum, and instruction—delivered directly by their leadership within their own buildings.
The program not only empowers districts to address their unique instructional needs but also serves as a strategic tool in combatting the post-COVID teacher shortage. By investing in their educators through this model, partner districts have successfully enhanced teacher retention and built stronger internal professional communities.
In addition to graduate education partnerships, Evangel University also collaborates with districts to provide student teachers, creating a seamless pipeline from training to employment. Evangel teacher candidates often pursue positions in Partner Districts, drawn by the shared vision and collaborative approach cultivated under Dr. Pace’s leadership.
Further solidifying this commitment to public education, Dr. Pace and Evangel University regularly host Southwest MASA (SWMASA) meetings and sponsor other events for educators on campus, reinforcing their role as a reliable and proactive partner in Missouri’s educational landscape.
This honor from MASA reflects Dr. Pace’s unwavering dedication to supporting and uplifting educators and school districts throughout the region.
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Evangel University, with its embedded Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Spirit-led Christian university located in Springfield, Missouri. It is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Under the leadership of Dr. Mike Rakes, EU is committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the Church and society globally and becoming compassionate innovators in their chosen vocations. EU offers more than 70 degree programs, including cutting-edge majors, pre-professional programs, and affordable and flexible online degree options.
EU is highly regarded and has been ranked:
- #1 Best College in Springfield & #2 Best Christian College in Missouri by Niche
- US News & World Report Best Colleges Top Performer in Social Mobility
- Colleges of Distinction Best Christian University
- Top 10 Best Universities by AcademicInfluence.com
- Third Most Beautiful Campus in the Midwest by Christian Colleges & Universities
- Top 10 Best Colleges in Missouri by BestColleges.com
With additional accreditations in business, counseling, music, social work, and theology and certification as an Excellence in Giving university, EU is focused on providing students with hands-on experience and real-world training for today’s professional careers. Learn more about the university at evangel.edu.