2017 Mizzou '39 Recipients

Mizzou '39 Home

In the spirit of service that was the cornerstone of the 1839 founding of the University of Missouri, the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board presents the Mizzou '39 Award to 39 outstanding seniors each year. Chosen for their academic achievement, leadership and service to Mizzou and the community, the honorees represent a variety of majors, activities and organizations from across campus. Each winner also chooses a faculty or staff member to recognize as their adviser throughout their college career.

Mizzou '39 is a program of the Mizzou Alumni Association.




Lauren Alexander

Major: Accountancy
Hometown: Springfield, MO
Activities/Honors: Cornell Leadership Program - Class Coordinator, Mizzou Alternative Breaks - Director of Winter Logistics, Alpha Kappa Psi - Vice President of Service, MizzouThon - Co-Director of Accounting, Omicron Delta Kappa - Service Chair, MU Homecoming Royalty

Mentor: Kaylyn Shinault, Graduate Assistant for Mizzou Alternative Breaks 

Lauren Alexander is the daughter of Lisa and Joel Alexander

Shelby Anderson

Major: Communication - Interpersonal and Family Studies
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Activities/Honors: The Legion of Black Collegians, Summer Welcome

Mentor: Velma Buckner, Interim Coordinator

Daughter of Cheryl Jo Anderson and sister to Sara Anderson and Mia Rue

Josh Boehm

Major: Business Administration - Finance & Banking/Real Estate
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Activities/Honors: Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Summer Welcome Leader 2015, Tour Team

Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Shonekan, Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology; Director of Black Studies Department 

Josh Boehm is the son of Jonathan and Rosalind Boehm

Jaylah Brooks

Major: Accountancy
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Activities/Honors: National Association of Black Accountants , EY MENTOR, Westside Cultural Foundation in Chicago

Mentor: Koni Daws, Director of the Accounting Program 

Jaylah is the daughter of James and Jacqueline Brooks

Creighton DeYoung

Major: Biological Engineering
Hometown: Webster Groves, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Mizzou Alternative Breaks (MAB), Missouri Innovation Center (MIC), Burke Lab, Beta Theta Pi

Mentor: Bill Turpin, President & CEO of the Missouri Innovation Center

Creighton is the son of Mark and Margaret DeYoung

Jackson Davis

Major: Marketing
Hometown: Mt. Zion, Illinois
Activities/Honors: Summer Welcome Leader, Involvement Ambassador, Lafferre Hall Renovation Committee, St. Pat's Board, Missouri Student Unions Ambassador, Trulaske College of Business Ambassador

Mentor: Dr. Robert Walsh, Visiting Professor, Architectural Studies

Jackson is the son of Ben and Dawn Davis

Kaleb Doyle

Major: Accountancy
Hometown: Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Tiger's Lair Game Day Chair, Accounting Graduate Teaching Assistant

Mentor: Dr. Chris Prestigiacomo, School of Accountancy, Associate Teaching Professor 

Kaleb is the son of Ethan and Stacy Doyle

Ryan Eisenbath

Major: Accountancy
Hometown: Silex, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Homecoming Steering Committee, Cornell Leadership Program, Outreach Student Recruitment Team

Mentor: Aly Friend, Mizzou Alumni Association, Coordinator of Alumni and Student Programs

Ryan is the son of Ronnie and Lisa Eisenbath

Katelyn Entzeroth

Major: Business Administration with an Emphasis in Finance and Banking
Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri 
Activities/Honors: 2016 Homecoming Tri-Director, QEBH, 2015 Homecoming Steering Committee, Griffiths Leadership Society, Trulaske College of Business Ambassador, Alpha Kappa Psi, Alpha Delta Pi

Mentor: Aly Friend, Mizzou Alumni Association, Coordinator of Alumni and Student Programs

Katelyn is the daughter of Teresa and Eric Entzeroth

Shannon Fennell

Major: Health Science
Hometown: Allen, Texas
Activities/Honors: Tour Team, Griffiths Leadership Society, Summer Welcome, Phi Sigma Pi, Sigma Alpha Iota, Marching Mizzou

Mentor: LeAnn Stroupe, Visitor Relations. Division of Marketing & Communications  

Shannon Fennell is the daughter of Arthur and Carol Fennell

Brittney Frazier

Major: Journalism - Strategic Communication
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Activities/Honors: Kappa Kappa Gamma - Public Relations Chair, Novak Leadership Scholar, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Alpha Phi Omega, MU Journalism Abroad, Tiger's Lair, Multicultural Certificate

Mentor: Keona Ervin, History, Assistant Professor African-American History

Brittney is the daughter of Mark and Kathleen Frazier

Grace Gabel

Major: Journalism - Strategic Communication 
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Activities/Honors: Tiger Pantry, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Summer Welcome

Mentor: Farouk Aregbe, Assistant Director, Academic Retention Services

Grace is the daughter of Gary and Joan Gabel

Lydia Ghuman

Major: English, Women and Gender Studies
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Activities/Honors: Student Coordinator for Diversity Peer Educators, McNair Scholar, Co-President for Feminist Student Union.

Mentor: Stephanie Hernandez, Interim Coordinator of the Multicultural Center

Lydia is the daughter of Gurmukh and Genet Ghuman

Caroline Gjerstad

Major: Health Sciences
Hometown: Santa Cruz, California
Activities/Honors: Mizzou Alternative Breaks Site Leader and Participant, Research in Biochemistry with Judy Wall, Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol Rockin Against Multiple Sclerosis Steering Committee, EMT at University Hospital, Volunteer for True False Film Fest and Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, Tutor in Chemistry and Statisitcs

Mentor: Dr. Judy Wall, Curators' Professor of Biochemistry

Caroline is the daughter of Deanne and Michael Gjerstad

Alyssa Goldberg

Major: Nursing
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Activities/Honors: 2016 Mizzou Homecoming Queen, Summer Welcome Leader, Summer Welcome Student Coordinator, Rockin' Against Multiple Sclerosis Steering Committee, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Mizzou Panhellenic Counselor, Mizzou Women's Club Lacrosse, Mizzou Alternative Breaks Site Leader, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honors Society

Mentor: David Rielley, Senior Coordinator, Office of New Student Programs

Alyssa is the daughter of Erick and Karen Goldberg

Polly Haun

Major: Biology and Spanish
Hometown: Prairie Village, Kansas
Activities/Honors: Co-Founder, MU Women in STEM, Griffiths Leadership Society, Mizzou College Democrats, Alpha Delta Pi

Mentor: Kirsten Pape, Assistant Director, Office of Service Learning

Polly is the daughter of Amy Haun and Andy Haun

Cora Heffernan

Major: Industrial Engineering
Hometown: St.Louis, Missouri
Activities/Honors: St. Patrick's Board President, Alpha Pi Mu President, University Tour Guide, and Summer Welcome Leader

Mentor: Stefanie Gray, Donor Relations Associate

Cora is the daughter of Jim and Jill Heffernan

Kenzie Jones

Major: Mass Media Communication
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Activities/Honors: Multicultural Center, Diversity Peer Educator. Academic Retention Services, Peer Mentor.

Mentor: Devara Brock, Academic Retention Services

Mackenzie is the daughter of Dwight and Alexis Jones

Connor Jordan

Major: Accountancy
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Activities/Honors: MU Tour Team Coordinator, Brother of Phi Gamma Delta, Dean's List Fall 2013-Present

Mentor: LeAnn Stroupe, Director of Visitor Relations

Connor is the son of Bob and Kelly Jordan and brother to Devin Jordan

Maria Kalaitzandonakes

Major: Agricultural Economics and Science and Agricultural Journalism
Hometown: Columbia, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Harry S. Truman Scholar, Deaton Scholar, Jerry Litton Scholar, club leader in IAAS, ACLT, HSA, and DSP.

Mentor: Brady Deaton, Executive Director of The Deaton Institute

Maria is the daughter of Julie and Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes

Ty Kapitzky

Major: Accountancy
Hometown: Lake Zurich, Illinois
Activities/Honors: Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Alpha Psi, Alumni Mentor Program, Greek Week Steering Committee, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Chancellor's Excellence Award - Emerging Leadership, Interfraternity Council - Man of Service, and Interfraternity Council - Celil B. Keasler Leadership Award.

Mentor: Dr. Daniel Turban, Management Professor

Ty is the son of George and Karen Kapitzky

Jenny McNamara

Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: Tustin, California
Activities/Honors: Mizzou Outreach Student Recruitment Team, Biology Peer Advisor, MU Tour Team, President of MU Women in STEM

Mentor: LeAnn Stroupe, Director of Visitor Relations

Jenny is the daughter of Steve and Valeria McNamara

Abrea Mizer

Major: Biochemistry and Agriculture Education
Hometown: Marshall, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Homecoming Steering Committee, Never Alone Ministry to the Elderly Program Director, CAFNR Ambassador, CAFNR Peer Career Coach, CAFNR Career Services Peer Learning Assistant, Biochemistry Peer Learning Assistant, Missouri FFA State President and Past President, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority-Alumni Engagement Director, Jerry Litton Leadership Scholar, Adult Day Connection Student Volunteer

Mentor: Dr. John Tummons, Assistant Teaching Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Agricultural Aducation and Leadership

Abrea is the daughter of Paul and Brenda Mizer

William Neer

Major: Chemistry
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, Universities Allied for Essential Medicines, Schultz/Appel Chemical Ecology Lab, Summer Welcome

Mentor: Dr. Bruce McClure, CAFNR/Biochemistry, Professor

William is the son of Tim and Sharon Neer

Paulina Owens

Major: Health Science / Business Minor
Hometown: O' Fallon, Missouri
Activities/Honors: School of Health Professions Student Ambassador, Department of Health Science Peer Mentor, Panhellenic Association Executive Board, Mizzou Alternative Breaks Site Leader, Women's Leadership Conference Executive Board, Judicial Peer Advisory Committee Justice, Zeta Tau Alpha

Mentor: Cheri Ghan, Recruitment Coordinator for the School of Health Professions

Paulina is the daughter of John Owens and Traci Sheridan

Brent Pearson

Major: Secondary Social Studies Education
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Activities/Honors: College of Education Ambassador, College of Education Student Council, Edward R. Murrow Award, Emmy Award, Mizzou Alternative Breaks

Mentor: Dr. Leigh Neier, College of Education, Director of Elementary Education

Brent is the son of Bill Pearson

Meg Rasche

Major: Accountancy
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Tour Team, Omicron Delta Kappa, PHA, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Trulaske College of Business Ambassador

Mentor: Andrew Meek, Greek Life PHA Advisor

Meg is the daughter of Steve and Tammy Rasche

Emily Ross

Major: Political Science and Sociology
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Legislative Director of Associated Students of University of Missouri (ASUM), Vice President of TAPP (Tigers Advancing Political Participation), Chief Justice of the Judicial Peer Advisory Council and Peer Advisor in the Transfer Interest Group (TRIG) program

Mentor: Dr. Joan Hermsen, Chair of Women and Gender Studies, Associate Professor of Sociology

Emily is the daughter of John and Judy Ross

Emily Russell

Major: Journalism - Strategic Communication
Hometown: Bloomington, Illinois
Activities/Honors: Missouri School of Journalism Ambassadors, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Phi Omega, Director of Ambassadors, Mizzou Office of Leadership Development, St. Thomas More Newman Center

Mentor: Sherri Helm, Senior Program/Project Support Specialist Office of Economic Development

Emily is the daughter of Dr. Robert and Lisa Russell

Brittany Shollar

Major: Nursing
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Best Buddies Mizzou - President, Tiger Buddies - External Chair of Relations, University of Missouri Club Softball - Vice President, Mizzou Alternative Breaks - Site Leader, Camp Kesem - Camp Counselor, Mortar Board

Mentor: Gretchen Gregory, Instructor of Nursing, MS(N), RN

Brittany is the daughter of Terry and Denise Shollar

Leah Simpson

Major: Statistics and Mathematics with Emphasis in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance
Hometown: Eldon, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Phi Bet Lambda - President, Gamma Iota Sigma - Founding Member and Secretary, Actuarial Club - Treasurer, Financial Mathematics Course Assistant, Bright Flight Scholar

Mentor: Steven Goldschmidt, Assistant Chair of the Math Department and Financial Mathematics Instructor

Leah is the daughter of Kevin Simpson and the late Diane Simpson

Javon Smith

Major: Business-Economics
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Activities/Honors: National Association of Black Accountants Recruiting Chair, Vice President of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated, Black Business Student Association Student Mentor, Trulaske College of Business Student Ambassador, Delta Sigma Theta King of Hearts Scholarship Pageant Winner, Legion of Black Collegian Homecoming Prince

Mentor: Velma Buckner, Interim Coordinator, GOBCC Social Justice

Javon is the son of William Henry Smith and Carolyn Jenkins

Greg Stringfellow

Major: Finance & Banking
Hometown: Southlake, Texas
Activities/Honors: Cornell Leadership Program- Class Coordinator, Trulaske College of Business Ambassador Program- Senior Leadership Team, Omicron Delta Kappa- Programming Chair, University of Missouri Football Team- Defensive Specialist, Tigers on Wall Street Participant

Mentor: Dr. Mary Beth Marrs, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Strategic Initiatives- Trulaske College of Business

Greg is the son of David and Denise Stringfellow

William J. Vega

Major: Business Administration - Emphases in Finance & Business, Economics
Hometown: Savannah, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Student Fee Review Committee Chairman, Missouri Students Association interim vice president, Missouri Students Association Senate Budget Committee Chairman, Marching Mizzou

Mentor: Farouk Aregbe, Assistant Director of Academic Retention Services

William Vega is the son of Mr. James and Dr. Susan Vega

Emma Vickers

Major: Russian, Psychology
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Air Force ROTC, Mizzou Track and Field, Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

Mentor: Nicole Monnier, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Russian)

Emma is the daughter of David and Jean Ann Vickers, sister of Charlotte Vickers

Briana Wilson

Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Activities/Honors: NSBE, Engingeering Ambassadors, Black Women Rock, QEBH

Mentor: Darius Whitaker, College of Engineering/Diversity Coordinator and Recruiter

Briana is the daughter of Alan and Leesha Wilson

Jacob Young

Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: Springfield, Missouri
Activities/Honors: Vice President of College of Arts and Science Student Council, American Physiological Society Research Fellow, Senior Executive Board Member for Beta Theta Pi, Camp Kesem Counselor, Math Based Science Tutor at the Learning Center, Director of Recruitment for TEAM.

Mentor: Dr. Kevin Cummings, Biomedical Sciences, Assistant Professor

Jacob is the son of Jeffry and Kristin Young

Lily Zacharias

Major: Journalism - Strategic Communication
Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois
Activities/Honors: Tour Team Team Leader, Kappa Alpha Theta, Homecoming Top 30 Candidate, Panhellenic Counselor, Caring For Columbia Steering Committee, Office of Admissions Student Worker

Mentor: Judd Slivka, Convergence Journalism Assistant Professor

Lily is the daughter of Rhonda and Alan Zacharias

Kirsten Zemke

Major: K-12 Cross Categorical Special Education
Hometown: Downers Grove, Illinois
Activities/Honors: Member of MU Bully Prevention Lab- Undergraduate Researcher, College of Education Ambassador, College of Education Recruitment and Retention Team, Mizzou COE Honors Program, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority- Philanthropy Chair, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Student Council for Exceptional Children, Tiger Buddies Mentor

Mentor: Chad Rose, Special Education Assistant Professor

Kirsten is the daughter of Bill and Karen Zemke

Mizzou '39 Home


In the spirit of service that was the cornerstone of the 1839 founding of the University of Missouri, the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board presents the Mizzou '39 Award to 39 outstanding seniors each year. Chosen for their academic achievement, leadership and service to Mizzou and the community, the honorees represent a variety of majors, activities and organizations from across campus. Each winner also chooses a faculty or staff member to recognize as their adviser throughout their college career.

Mizzou '39 is a program of the Mizzou Alumni Association.