Four alumni and one faculty member will receive the prestigious Merit Awards—an honor presented annually since 1958 to recognize SEMO graduates and faculty who have brought distinction to themselves and the University.  

Alumni Merit Award recipients:  

• Ashley AuBuchon-Arcand 

• George and Joan Lange 

Distinguished Young Alumni Award recipient:  

• Jordan Redd 

Faculty Merit Award recipient for excellence in teaching:  

• James Caldwell, professor in SEMO’s Department of Management 

Current members of the Copper Dome Society receive two complimentary tickets to the event. Anyone wishing to join the Copper Dome Society and attend the dinner should call (573) 651-2259. 

AWARD RECIPIENTS 

Ashley AuBuchon-Arcand / Alumni Merit Award 

A native of Bonne Terre, Missouri, Ashley AuBuchon-Arcand is a strategy and transformation leader at IBM, where she leads high-impact initiatives that drive enterprise-wide productivity, accelerate digital transformation and advance AI adoption. With more than 15 years at IBM, AuBuchon-Arcand has played a pivotal role in delivering measurable results, including more than $4.5 billion in productivity cost savings and contributing to a multibillion-dollar revenue pipeline. 

In her current role, AuBuchon-Arcand advises Fortune 500 clients on digital and AI transformation strategies while designing global enablement programs for IBM’s more than 150,000 sales professionals and consultants. Her strategic leadership and ability to drive outcomes have earned her some of IBM’s highest accolades, including the Entrepreneur Award, Culture Catalyst, Growth Award and the 2025 Golden Circle Award. 

AuBuchon-Arcand previously served as chief of staff to IBM’s chairman and CEO, supporting enterprise operations, strategic execution and high-stakes engagement with clients, investors and stakeholders. She has also held leadership roles in innovation, workforce transformation and client experience—driving new business initiatives, leading organizational change and advancing digital initiatives across IBM’s global operations. 

In addition to her lasting impact at IBM, AuBuchon-Arcand is deeply committed to developing the next generation of leaders. Through her coaching and training company, My Advocate LLC, she has trained and inspired over 125,000 professionals and students worldwide to become more confident communicators and impactful leaders. 

AuBuchon-Arcand holds a Bachelor of Science in mass communication: public relations from SEMO, where she graduated in 2008. A passionate advocate for inclusion, she currently serves as vice president on the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center that provides free educational and therapeutic programs to more than 1,200 families in her community. 

AuBuchon-Arcand lives in Holly Springs, North Carolina, with her husband, Robert, and their two children, Theodore and Margot. 

George and Joan Lange / Alumni Merit Award 

George and Joan Lange are a dynamic pair of Southeast Missouri State University alumni whose lives and careers have been defined by service, leadership and a shared commitment to education and community. Married for over 54 years, their story began on SEMO’s campus, where their individual journeys took root and their relationship first began. 

Joan (Koeln) Lange is a nationally recognized educational leader whose career has spanned classroom teaching, curriculum development, charter school leadership, and nonprofit governance. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1971, she completed a graduate degree and post-graduate work at SEMO. While a student, Joan was an active member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and was voted the Sagamore Queen, a distinction recognizing her outstanding leadership and campus involvement. Today, Joan serves on the University Foundation and the steering committee for the Transforming Lives campaign. 

With more than 20 years of classroom experience, Joan served as a team leader, department head and curriculum chair, earning honors such as Lindbergh Leader and Teacher of the Year at Ocoee Elementary in Ocoee, Florida. She later played a key role in piloting the Core Knowledge Sequence, becoming a national consultant and presenter. As National Schools Director and Director of School Leadership for the Challenge Foundation, Joan supported the launch of 20 charter schools across multiple states and helped shape the leadership development program for TeamCFA. She continues to impact schools through consulting, board service and curriculum development efforts across the country.  

George W. Lange Jr. is a wealth management executive and attorney whose four-decade career has spanned legal practice, trust and financial services, military service and civic engagement. A 1972 graduate of SEMO with a degree in political science, George was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and the SEMO varsity tennis team. He later earned a Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law and completed graduate-level training at the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. 

A Certified Trust and Financial Advisor and Trust and Estate Practitioner, he earned national recognition for his expertise, including being named Florida Bankers Association Trust Banker of the Year and induction into the FBA Trust Banking Hall of Fame. In parallel with his professional career, George served for 23 years in the Missouri Army National Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1994. His service earned him numerous awards, including the Army Achievement Medal and Missouri National Guard Commendation Medal. 

Together, Joan and George Lange have remained deeply connected to SEMO through both philanthropic and volunteer leadership. In recognition of the profound impact SEMO had on their lives, they established the Joan and George Lange Scholarship for Education, an endowed fund supporting future educators from the St. Louis area. Exemplifying the values of lifelong learning, civic responsibility and giving back, the Langes represent the enduring legacy of SEMO alumni who lead with purpose and passion.  

They currently reside in Florida and are proud parents of two sons and grandparents to three grandchildren. 

Dr. Jordan Redd / Distinguished Young Alumni Award 

Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Dr. Jordan Redd earned his Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from Southeast Missouri State University. He completed his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, launching a dynamic career as a recognized horn soloist, orchestral musician and music educator. 

Redd is the assistant chair of the Department of Music and assistant professor of horn at the University of North Alabama, where he teaches applied horn, conducting and music education courses. Known for his exceptional musicianship and commitment to student success, he has also previously taught at Lindenwood University and Murray State University. 

Redd is an award-winning soloist and active performer, having earned First Prize in the Charleston International Music Competition, Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, Golden Music Classical Awards, and Kings Peak International Music Competition. He has been a finalist in several prestigious competitions, including the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Solo Competition, the Peter E. Tannenwald Young Artist Competition, and the London Philharmonia Orchestra Brass Fellowship. A two-time national finalist in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition, he placed second in 2019 and made his solo debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in 2021. 

He serves as principal horn of the Shoals Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with the Alabama and Huntsville Symphony Orchestras. His past performances include roles with the Jackson, Omaha and Paducah symphonies and touring with Mannheim Steamroller Christmas production. Internationally, he has appeared at Festival Suoni d’Abruzzo in Italy, the Saarburg Music Festival in Germany, and the FOOSA Festival in Los Angeles. 

Dedicated to developing the next generation of musicians, Redd maintains an active private studio. Many of his students have gone on to win top honors in national and international competitions. 

While at SEMO, Redd was a standout performer and student leader within the Department of Music. His time at SEMO laid the foundation for a career rooted in excellence, discipline and service. He lives in Florence, Alabama, where he continues to inspire students and audiences through his performance, teaching and passion for lifelong learning. 

Dr. James Caldwell / Faculty Merit Award 

Growing up in a military family and as a non-traditional student, Dr. James Caldwell brings a global perspective and a wealth of industry experience to his role as professor of Management in Southeast Missouri State University’s Harrison College of Business and Computing. Caldwell teaches courses in business strategy and management and has held several key leadership roles, including director of Graduate Business Studies. He currently serves as interim director of International Business Programs, where he champions global engagement for both students and faculty. 

Caldwell earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida, holds an MBA from Willamette University, and a BS degree from Utah Valley University. His research explores behavioral ethics, trust, leadership and cross-cultural management. His work has been published in multiple academic journals including Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Marketing Management Journal, Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship and Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics. He has presented at leading academic conferences, such as the Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Society for Business Ethics Annual Conference and the Ethics Resource Center Fellows Meeting.  

Before entering academia, Caldwell spent over a decade in the private sector working for multinational corporations such as Corel Corporation (WordPerfect), FranklinCovey Co. and Intel Corporation. His consulting portfolio spans industries ranging from telecommunications and banking to pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and nonprofit organizations.  

Caldwell is known for his commitment to student success and international engagement, believing strongly in the transformative power of global education. He regularly mentors students and faculty seeking international opportunities, helping them navigate cross-cultural challenges with integrity and insight. 

Outside the classroom, Caldwell and his wife, Shelby, enjoy spending time with their four grown children and son-in-law, often seeking new adventures together as a family.

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