State Fair Community College recognized four outstanding students as its 2026 Distinguished Students for exceptional academic achievement, leadership and service. The students were honored during the college’s spring commencement ceremony May 15, where they led the graduate processional and were recognized in the commencement program.
Each year, SFCC selects one student from each academic division whose accomplishments exemplify the college’s values of scholarship, leadership and active participation in college and community life.
This year’s recipients are:
Elizabeth Ailee Mezentsev, of Denver, Colorado, was selected as the 2026 Arts and Sciences Distinguished Student. She graduated summa cum laude with an Associate of Arts degree. Mezentsev served as president of TRIO and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Heather Stegner, of Chilhowee, was selected as the 2026 Health Sciences Distinguished Student. Stegner earned an Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology and graduated cum laude. She also participated in the Missouri Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists conference in March at Liberty Hospital.
Benjamin Wyatt McKeehan, of Warrensburg, was selected as the 2026 Career and Technical Education Distinguished Student. He completed an Associate of Science in Engineering and an Associate of Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology with an emphasis in Precision Machining Technology. McKeehan regularly worked in SFCC’s Collab Lab and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Mia Joy Rowland, of Stover, was selected as the 2026 Early College Distinguished Student. A dual-credit student from Stover High School, Rowland graduated magna cum laude with an Associate of Arts degree.
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