Bridget Shea
Being a farm boy from near Hermann, my entering campus life was like a dream come true. I loved it. I met my wife Sue Beauchamp Weiser from the Moberly area) as well as some of the best friends ever. We have now been married 51 years, have had five kids and three grandsons. I had always enjoyed geology and thoroughly enjoyed my geology courses, as well as most other courses. Nearly all my courses helped in my success in various ways. I achieved a lifelong dream to see the world, so I have been in 49 countries and all the states. Go Tigers!
Robert "Bud" Weiser, BA '58, MA '60
I met Erin my first week of freshman year. We became close very quickly and remained best friends even when we lived across the country after graduation. I moved to D.C. because of her and we are now roommates (in a very grown-up apartment filled with Mizzou stuff.) This was our first Halloween together since we graduated. With our height difference it was perfect to be Willy Wonka and an oompa-loompa!
Amy Schwartz
We wish all of you could see our Missouri Tiger flag proudly on display at our home in Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, California. Our granddaughter, Sarah Bird, gave it to us before her graduation in 2007. She is now in Finland, working on her PhD in Astrophysics. We graduated in 1947 and 1955, so our family has a longtime Mizzou connection, and we are very happy to fly the flag here.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, I was fortunate enough to graduate from the Mizzou J-school in the advertising sequence.
At a J-school career fair, I met the St. Louis Rams marketing/PR personnel and became an intern during my senior year. After graduation, the Rams offered me a full-time position with the NFL working with corporate sponsors including Bank of America and Anheuser-Busch. My Mizzou degree allowed me this awesome opportunity.
I also met my closest nine friends while being a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Four years after graduation, they are still my closest gals! This picture is six of us during the 2009 Mizzou Homecoming.
Kimberly Burnham, BJ
Eleanor Baskett Mulder was recently honored by United Way of Lane County as the local volunteer blood donor to Lane Memorial Blood Bank, having donated whole blood and platelets 408 times in Eugene, Oregon. This has a Columbia, Missouri, connection as she started donating at 16 in Columbia and donated off and on there until 1954. She also donated in Cleveland, Ohio, Liverpool, England, and Austin, Minnesota.
Victor A.G. Ohman (1924-2002) attended the University of Missouri during the 1950's but did not focus enough on his class work and withdrew without a degree. This decision he came to deeply regret. Following his retirement as Vice President-Personnel at Shelter Insurance Company in 1989, he returned to the University and earned a bachelor degree at age sixty-seven. At the 1991 graduation ceremony, the presenter of diplomas complimented him on his return to education, and his fellow graduates subsequently awarded him an ovation.
Marian M. Ohman, PhD
In 1998, after 50 years, I attended the Gold Medal Reunion for the class of 1948, and I was very happy to receive my gold medal on April 28, 1998.
Jean McCarty Culbertson
I graduated, with four children, on the G.I. Bill following four years in the Navy during the Korean War. I spent 35 years with MODOT and retired in 1992. My wife, children and I still follow Mizzou athletics and are proud of the university and all it offers. Our fifth child graduated from Mizzou with an education degree.
When I arrived in Columbia in August of 1979, I had no idea what the MU/kU rivalry was all about. Growing up, I had known of Army/Navy, USC/UCLA and Nebraska/Oklahoma, but the Missouri/kansas battle was not on my radar. I learned quickly that the dislike between the two schools ran heavy and deep.
During football games, you could feel the tension in the air and at the Hearnes Center for basketball, it was even more intense because of the noise and the close confines of the arena.
When I started dating Linda, I did not know that she had attended kU, not that it really would have mattered. We watched this year's game with her sister who was visiting from Kansas City, Kansas. Both are Jayhawk fans and wore it just as proudly as I wore my Mizzou sweatshirt.
Phil Hartung, '83
A student, carrying a quart jar, came running breathlessly through the dairy barn. "I need a quart of warm milk to take back to my fraternity," he blurted out. Having just removed the milking machine from a Holstein cow, I removed the lid from the stainless steel pail and said, "Hold out your jar." While racing out of the barn, a very happy fraternity pledge carried his jar of warm milk.
While earning my B.S. in agriculture, I worked weekends helping milk Mizzou's 80-cow dairy herd on campus. Since then, I have wondered if the fraternity brothers realized that 3:00 a.m. was during the morning milking time. Finding a cow willing to allow a stranger to hand-milk a quart of milk would have been quite a challenge. The cows were accustomed to eating a gallon or so of succulent grain during their milking period. During the past 50 years, this story has brought a thousand smiles to me and many others.
My primary calling has been serving as a Free Will Baptist minister. Thirty-eight of those years, I worked in some aspect of church planting ministry.
I highly value the years I spent at Mizzou, and I remain a loyal Tiger fan.
John Mark Vandivort, BS Ag '59
It's been 50 years since I was a Kappa Kappa Gamma and student at Mizzou. I am still in touch with several sorority sisters. I cherish my time at Mizzou and the friends I met there. I did come back for the 125-year anniversary of Kappa Kappa Gamma--the school has changed so much. So big! It was just great to be back in Columbia again.
Cora Jean Kleppe
I've had a lot of firsts in my life as a young black girl trying to make a difference with huge hopes and dreams and a mom who believed in exposure. However, she was determined not to allow me to go too far from home when I started scouting out colleges. MU was far enough away without being too far. I wanted to be in public relations, thus j-school was my destination. Unbeknownst to me, there were only two PR classes.
I entered with the 120th freshman class, knowing very little, but eager to learn and be exposed to all that college had to offer. Laws Hall, one of the newer dorms, was my new world, especially with was going on each weekend with Greek Town and college football games right outside my dorm window. I immersed myself in everything: pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Tiger Hostess (1973-77)for Athletic Dept., Greek Week Queen candidate when we didn't have a chance of even being considered, and j-school 1977 Sr. Class officer..really, too much to list.
Thanks to Ruth Schwartz, j-school Scholarship Chair, Clarence Wine, Jennifer Hill, Doris Lewis (Leo Lewis's mom), and Sandy and Prentis Gautt, J-school buds who all worked in the Graphics department. I can't remember some names, but a host of folk left an indelible mark on my life over 32 years ago. I have fond memories as I sit here in my MU sweatshirt looking forward to my next trip to STL and MU! I look forward to hearing from any one who remembers Robin Morgan, 1973-77, because I'm sure we can share gory details.
Robin Billups, '77
After taking a BA and MA in English at MU, I went on to Yale for a PhD, then a Fulbright Scholarship to Italy and a long teaching career at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I have been retired for a number of years and still live in Greensboro.
Jean Buchert, BA, MA
I grew up in Columbia in the 60's and 70's. I stumbled upon the opportunity to sell Sno-Cones at the Mizzou home games at the age of 13. There is nothing like the excitement of football Saturdays. Stores closed and Stadium Blvd. was lined with cars. Selling refreshment was fierce competition. Getting a tray of Sno-Cones sold before they melted required a great deal of salesmanship and hustle.
I went to Mizzou once I graduated from Rock Bridge High School. A knee injury required me to drop out and follow my family, who moved to South Dakota. Shortly after my move, I became a Realtor, putting my sales skills and hustle learned on Football Saturdays to use. I am now one of Sioux Falls Top Producing Realtors and am currently the President of the Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire. I owe it all to Mizzou and selling Sno-Cones on Football Saturday!
Todd Thoelke
My wisest choice will always be that I decided to go to MU for graduate school. Dr's. Weatherly, Clark Craig and others set in motion real learning. I was green, and they gave me an endless variety of colors which I floated in 25 years of college teaching and continue to hoist for the endless pleasure of real understanding.
Beth A. Bassein, Ph.D.
My four years as a student at the university were life changing. Not only did I receive a terrific education, but I met wonderful people on campus and in Columbia. All through my 30+ years of teaching I was so proud to answer the question: “Where did you to go school?” with a firm voice, “MU!"
Freda Sue Allison
Yes, I would choose Mizzou again.
Coming from a tiny high school, I found Mizzou to be a new world. Life-long friends in Johnston Hall and inspiring teachers like Dr. Brunk in calculus and Dr. Neidhardt in Cycle of the West made it so. Yes, I would choose Mizzou again.
Four years after graduation, my new husband and I choose Mizzou again. I have many pleasant memories of Dean Croft and Jack Morgan in the Engineering Dean’s Office where I worked to put hubby through Vet School. Yes, I would choose Mizzou again.
In 1978-1982, we sent four of five kids to Mizzou. Yes, I would choose Mizzou again.
In 2005 at Meet Mizzou Day, the Associate Dean of the J-School spoke so convincingly, my granddaughter chose Mizzou.
Finally, I continue to choose Mizzou. For 34 years at Platte County R-3, I’ve been telling my brightest and best about Mizzou.
Oleda Cooper
In September of 1958, I enrolled in the University of Missouri. I had just been discharged from the United States Navy. It was a time where there were very few black students at M.U. I remember the anxiety and tension I felt as my mother and father wished me well when I left for my first day on campus. The anxiety increased as I made my way through the enrollment process. Some people were friendly. Some were not. Most were just indifferent.
I remember standing in line at the University bookstore waiting to pay for my first semester books. Much to my embarrassment, I was a few cents short of the amount due. As I counted and recounted the money in my hand somehow hoping to magically make the amount equal to what I owed the cashier, a young white girl behind me asked “Do you need some money?” My mind was a blur as she put several coins in my hand. I never saw her again but I will forever be grateful for that moment of kindness.
Although I lived at home with my parents, I felt a part of University life. Of course, I was not’t but I still found the college atmosphere exciting. Walking across the beautiful, spacious campus, attending classes and going to the Saturday afternoon football games were moments that I always cherished. There were always several standout black football players and that gave me a special sense of price. I didn’t know any of them personally but that didn’t matter.
Because there were so few blacks on campus, it was rare to meet another black student in class. I never had one black professor or teacher in my entire undergraduate and graduate years. That didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for the college experience.
By the time I was an upperclassman, the anxiety that I felt as a freshman had all but disappeared. I had learned how to apply myself the rigors of college academics. I found most of my professors interesting and encouraging.
Today, 40 years later, when I return to Columbia, I always revisit the M.U. campus. I feel a sense of nostalgia. The streets and roadways are much more crowded and what used to be two way roads are now one way streets. However, the heart of campus remains the same.
I hope today there are more African American students. I hope there are African American faculty and administrators.
Would I attend MU again? You bet I would!
Chester Leroy Wisley
Mizzou Matches
The Finleys: Denis ’87 and Lisa ‘87 Married: June 3, 1995 How they met: At Shakespeare’s during the first game of the 1985 World Series. My friend and I had to share a table with my wife and her friend. My first words to my future wife were “are you gonna eat the rest of that pizza? Favorite Memory: The day my wife and I met.
The Mileses: David ‘94 and Jennifer ‘94 Married: August 22, 1993 How they met: Jennifer and I began dating in high school, but further developed our relationship at MU. We were engaged by the Columns and got married just before our senior year. It is wonderful to visit campus and share stories with our children.
Read more Mizzou Match stories.
MU/kU rivalry memories:
It was January 1990- the KU basketball team was ranked number one and I traveled to Columbia to watch the rivalry game at Harpo's. The place was packed with black and gold, but some crimson and blue interspersed the crowd. As I fanatically cheered on the Tigers who pulled off the amazing upset, I noticed a camera man near our corner of the popular watering hole. I told my friends, "I know I made the paper." The next morning before heading back to KC, I stopped to buy a Columbia Tribune. There on the front page was yours truly jumping in the air with fists clenched in victory. In the crowd was a dejected Jayhawk fan who just happened to be a high school boyfriend of mine. The picture was priceless, and I didn't waste the opportunity to fax my friend the newspaper photo. Today the picture is framed and hanging in my basement. GO TIGERS-beat KU!
Sara Maybrier Shields, BS Ed 1989
My favorite memory of the MU/kU rivalry was standing in line outside of Hearnes for about 6 hours on a cold Sunday morning my junior year to get good seats for the game. Large groups of all of my friends were there with hot chocolate, doughnuts, orange juice, and good times. It was in that moment, surrounded by all of my friends, hoping for a victory against our nemesis, and irrationally standing in the hope that I might get good seats for the game that I realized that college wouldn’t last forever, and that I was extremely lucky to call myself a Tiger.
I attended MIZZOU for four glorious years during some of the greatest of the Dan Devine years, 1967 -1971. I was an Engineering major while my older brother was an Architect at KU. Needless to say the rivalry was at a very high pitch.
During those years the battle was always a Thanksgiving break ritual. It was KU's turn to host the annual classic in Lawrence. That particular year I brought three of my buddies home to Kansas City for the holiday. My brother was also home for the holiday and could not understand why we insisted on going down to Lawrence the day before the game. He assured us the campus was dead, with nobody to be found, and nothing happening in the town due to the holiday break. Like everything else regarding our competitive relationship at the time, just the thought of us going down a day early raised the hair on his neck; but he could not figure out why. Nor did my mother know why I had asked her, weeks earlier, to make several large MU flags so that my friends and I could use them for wall hangings in our dorm rooms. The stage was set!
Around noon the day before the game we left for Lawrence, arriving in the early afternoon with plenty of daylight remaining to scout out the campus. We were in search of construction cranes that could serve effectively as flag poles for Mom's flags. After noting all the cranes, the access, lighting, etc.; we departed the campus to let the hours tick bye. Needing some food and a place to finalize our plans, we purchased some carry out and sought the comfort of some nice plush carpet in a vacant student apartment complex that was under construction close to the campus. At 1 am, all four of us dressed in black with our faces blackened as well, we departed for our targets. Crane number one proved to be the easiest and most productive. It sat perched just beyond the top of the hill at the South end of the Stadium. I was elected to climb the crane and hang the first flag while my partners performed security lookout. As one might expect the campus police were on duty that night and did make their rounds. Our lookout patrol worked to a tee. While high above the campus in the dark night sky I hugged the crane, upon warning, as the campus police slowly drove beneath me. His trained eye was not looking above his head. After successfully completing crane one, we proceeded to number two and three. Number two was equally easy but the impact did not turn out to be as great as number one. Crane three posed significant challenges as it was a horizontal crane. After much debate and failed attempts our team decided against making a final high risk try. We departed the campus for our apartment with a some brew to celebrate our success.
The next morning came early and off to the game we went. We had no tickets and had no intention of buying our way into the game. We headed directly to the concession area and asked if we could sell drinks to make a few bucks. As the crowd gathered we mingled amongst them as they watched my Mom's MU flag flying high above the hill for all to see. After selling our first tray of drinks we found our seats and watched the game with absolute joy, not yet realizing the hundreds of thousands of Kansas and Missouri citizens that would enjoy the view.
The next morning my buddies and I awoke, as did my furious brother and surprised mother, to a large above the fold photograph of our MU flag flying high above the KU campus on the front page of the Kansas City Star. What a joy! What a memory!
My brother has never gotten over that weekend.
Read more MU/kU rivalry memories.
Why I became an Alumni Association life member:
...since the University of Missouri will always have a special place in my heart, I couldn’t think of a better way of showing my pride for ‘Ol Mizzou than by becoming a life member of the Mizzou Alumni Association. I can’t wait for my kids to see the pride that Daddy feels for Mizzou as they view the Tiger Plaza in the years to come. Hopefully it will inspire them to become a proud member of the Mizzou family some day as well.
John Scharfen, BS BA ‘92
…my association with the University ranges back to 20 years, two degrees, and a lifetime of memories. Everyday, the education and experiences I received at MU continue to serve me well as I meet life’s challenges.
Jay M. Dade, BJ ’85, JD ‘93
…I wanted to give back to the University for the excellent education I received & the great memories of playing football. My teachers as well as my coaches taught me time management, discipline & the character needed to work hard in the classroom as well as on the field. They instilled in me the qualities needed to be successful in the game of life.
Dr. John W. Tabash, BA ‘77, DDS '81, MS '83
…to express in some small measure my thanks to the University of Missouri for accepting me as a student after the end of World War II. I will be eternally grateful for the training I received and for the chance to better my life. I am proud to be numbered among the many loyal alumni of Old Mizzou!
Milton Y. Dendy, BS Ag ‘49, MS '50
Read more why alumni became life members.