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.
Ellen Amos, Agricultural Education
Ellen is from Russellville, Mo. and is the daughter of Gary and Marla Amos.
Activities and Honors include: Agricultural Education Society, Alpha Tau Alpha, Campus Christian House, National Society for Collegiate Scholars, Zou Crew
Ellen’s mentor is John Tummons, Department of Agricultural Education.
Joseph Jamal Andress, Broadcast Journalism
Jamal is from Houston, Texas and is the son of Joseph and Nanalie Andress.
Activities and Honors include: Alpha Phi Alpha, KOMU reporter, National Association of Black Journalists, Tour Team, United ambassador Minority Student Recruitment Team
Jamal’s mentor is Greeley Kyle, School of Journalism.
Derek Benham, Biochemistry
Derek is from Carterville, Mo. and is the son of Donald and Melinda Benham.
Activities and Honors include: Beta Upsilon Chi, Care for AIDS, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellow, Mortar Board, Residential Life Leadership advisor
Derek’s mentor is Jon Stemmle, School of Journalism.
Emily Boehm, Civil Engineering
Emily is from Lee’s Summit, Mo. and is the daughter of Rose and Jerry Boehm.
Activities and Honors include: Chi Epsilon, College of Engineering ambassador, Engineering Student Council, St. Pat’s Board, Summer Welcome leader
Emily’s mentor is Justin Shepherd, College of Arts and Science.
Molly Boland, Broadcast Journalism
Molly is from Chesterfield, Mo. and is the daughter of Bob and Renee Boland.
Activities and Honors include: Alpha Delta Pi, GAMMA, Greek Week Steering Committee, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, KOMU reporter
Molly’s mentor is Greeley Kyle, School of Journalism.
Laurence Bowers, Sociology
Laurence is from Memphis, Tenn. and is the son of Nancy Bowers and nephew of Mary Bowers and Arlyn Bowers.
Activities and Honors include: Big XII Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Chick-Fil-A Community Champion Award, Men’s Basketball Team captain, Tiger Spirit Award, Student Athlete of the Week
Laurence’s mentor is Tami Chievous, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Melanie Brown, Accountancy
Melanie is from Hannibal, Mo. and is the daughter of Steve and Paula Brown
Activities and Honors include: Association of Accountancy Students, For All We Call Mizz0u Singers, Mizzou Student Foundation, Omicron Delta Kappa, University Singers
Melanie’s mentor is William Moser, Trulaske College of Business.
Ryan Bueckendorf, English and Secondary Education
Ryan is from St. Louis and is the son of Randy and Mary Bueckendorf.
Activities and Honors include: Alternative Spring Break, Delta Chi, Dream Outside the Box, MU Greek Judicial Board, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Ryan’s mentor is Harlow Sanders, PhD candidate in English education.
Ashley Davidson, Biochemistry and Nutritional Sciences
Ashley is from Joplin, Mo. and is the daughter of Rick and Mary Davidson.
Activities and Honors include: Cheerleading Team, Homecoming Royalty Top 10, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Omicron Delta Kappa, Summer Welcome leader
Ashley’s mentor is Suzy Thompson, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Cole Donelson, Management and Strategic Communication
Cole is from Wildwood, Mo. and is the son of Jan and Tammy Donelson.
Activities and Honors include: Alternative Spring Break, Caring for Columbia Steering Committee, Chancellor’s Leadership Class, Delta Sigma Pi, Summer Welcome leader
Cole’s mentor is Dave Roberts, Columbia College.
Sarah Ely, Marketing
Sarah is from St. Louis and is the daughter of Doug and Cheryl Ely.
Activities and Honors include: Alpha Kappa Psi, Trulaske College of Business ambassador, Cornell Cares co-founder, Mizzou Swim Club, Trulaske College of Business Emerging leader of the Year
Sarah’s mentor is Dan Turban, Trulaske College of Business.
Leslie Farmer, Biology and Economics
Leslie is from Jefferson City, Mo. and is the daughter of Bud and Sandy Farmer.
Activities and Honors include: Athletes for Athletes founder, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Omicron Delta Kappa, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Track and Field Team captain
Leslie’s mentor is Rick McGuire, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Lauren Fischer, Biochemistry
Lauren is from Columbia, Mo. and is the daughter of Curt and Carol Fischer.
Activities and Honors include: Biochemistry Club president, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Mizzou Golden Girl, Omicron Delta Kappa
Lauren’s mentor is Shari Freyermuth, CAFNR.
Elizabeth Fracica, Biological Sciences
Elizabeth is from St. Joseph, Mo. and is the daughter of Phil and Lisa Fracica.
Activities and Honors include: Health Professionals for Quality Care president, MSA legislative director, MU Jazz Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, Student Health Advisory Council
Elizabeth’s mentor is Arthur White, School of Music.
Samantha Hall, Political Science and International Studies
Sami is from Independence, Mo. and is the daughter of Thomas and Mako Hall.
Activities and Honors include: Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Phi Alpha Delta president, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Sigma Alpha president
Sami’s mentor is Peter Markie, College of Arts and Science.
Meagan Halphin, Middle and Secondary English Education
Meagan is from Lee’s Summit, Mo. and is the daughter of Robert and Tracy Halphin.
Activities and Honors include: College of Education ambassador, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, Kappa Alpha Theta, Missouri State Teachers Association, Omicron Delta Kappa
Meagan’s mentor is Amy Lannin, College of Arts and Science.
Adrienne Hoffman, Business Marketing
Adrienne is from Plano, Texas and is the daughter of Duncan and Terrie Hoffman.
Activities and Honors include: Honors College, Mizzou 101 teacher, Residential Life peer advisor, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Summer Welcome leader, Tour Team
Adrienne’s mentor is LeAnn Stroupe, Office of Visitor Relations.
Kassie Hyde, Biological Sciences and Spanish
Kassie is from Marshfield, Mo. and is the daughter of Keith and Sara Hyde.
Activities and Honors include: Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, Kappa Alpha Theta, MedZou Free Clinic, Omicron Delta Kappa, Won by One to Jamaica
Kassie’s mentor is Thomas Phillips, Department of Biological Science.
Cidney King, Broadcast Journalism
Cidney is from Country Club Hills, Ill. and is the daughter of Raymond and Cynthia King.
Activities and Honors include: Delta Sigma Theta president, KOMU reporter, Legion of Black Collegians, NAACP Myrlie Evers Award, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Cidney’s mentor is Anne-Marie Foley, Office of Service-Learning.
Claudia Krueger, Mechanical Engineering
Claudia is from Blue Springs, Mo. and is the daughter of Steve and Lois Krueger.
Activities and Honors include: Alpha Chi Omega, College of Engineering ambassador, Mizzou Concert Chorale, Society of Women Engineers president
Claudia’s mentor is Tina Balser, College of Engineering.
Michael Lopresti, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Michael is from Columbus, Ohio and is the son of Rick and Debbie Lopresti.
Activities and Honors include: College of Engineering ambassador, Men’s Swim Team, Mizzou Engineering Student Council, Society for Manufacturing Engineers, Student Athlete Advisory Council
Michael’s mentor is Brandon Orr, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Emily Luft, Women’s and Gender Studies
Emily is from St. Louis and is the daughter of Paul and Judy Luft.
Activities and Honors include: Chancellor’s Fund for Excellence Scholar, MU Women’s Center volunteer, Safe Space trainer, SHAPE president, Student Union ambassador
Emily’s mentor is Heather Eastman-Mueller, Student Health Services.
Melanie Mason, Biology
Melanie is from Macomb, Ill. and is the daughter of Greg Mason and Jennifer Tibbitts.
Activities and Honors include: Alpha Chi Sigma, Beta Beta Beta, Global Medical Brigades founder and president, Homecoming Royalty Top 10, Mortar Board
Melanie’s mentor is Steven Keller, Department of Chemistry.
Emily Milford, Biology and Psychology
Emily is from St. Louis and is the daughter of Doug and Kim Milford.
Activities and Honors include: Chi Omega, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, Mortar Board, MU Pre-Med Club, True North Women’s Shelter hospital advocate
Emily’s mentor is Susan Nagel, University Hospital.
T.J. Moe, Business Management
T.J is from O’Fallon, Mo. and is the son of David and Becky Moe.
Activities and Honors include: Big XII Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Football Team, Student Athlete Advisory Council, We Are Mizzou Committee
T.J.’s mentor is Andy Hill, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Arwa Mohammad, Biological Sciences
Arwa is from Columbia, Mo. and is the daughter of Mowaffak Mohammad and Gulsen Ibrahim.
Activities and Honors include: Chancellor’s Leadership Class, Muslim Students Organization president, Mortar Board, Mystical Seven, Student Health Advisory Council
Arwa’s mentor is Gregory Foster, Honors College.
Emily Moon, Strategic Communication
Emily is from Sioux Falls, S.D. and is the daughter of Jay and Pamela Moon.
Activities and Honors include: Chancellor’s Standing Committee for Student Organizations, Chi Omega, Homecoming Steering Committee, Honors College, MSA vice president
Emily’s mentor is Chancellor Brady Deaton.
Kam Phillips, Social Work
Kam is from Fort Worth, Texas and is the daughter of Tam and Leta Phillips.
Activities and Honors include: Chancellor’s Leadership Class, Dream Outside the Box founder, Homecoming Queen, Mortar Board, Phi Alpha Honor Society
Kam’s mentor is Anne Deaton.
Andreas Plackis, Biological Sciences
Andreas is from St. Charles, Mo. and is the son of Marc and Cindy Wiederholt.
Activities and Honors include: Big XII Commissioner’s Honor Roll, MU Baseball Team, Mystical Seven, Omicron Delta Kappa, Student Athlete Advisory Council
Andreas’ mentor is Joel Maruniak, Department of Biological Science.
Alex Prestel, Strategic Communication and Graphic Design
Alex is from Columbus, Ind. and is the daughter of Dan and Jill Prestel.
Activities and Honors include: American Advertising Federation, Kappa Alpha Theta, Mizzou for Malawi, Omicron Delta Kappa, RAMS tri-director
Alex’s mentor is Frank Corridori, School of Journalism.
Colbey Ricklefs, Biology, Psychology and Sociology
Colbey is from St. Joseph, Mo. and is the son of Deborah Ricklefs.
Activities and Honors include: Honors College ambassador, Mortar Board, Phi Kappa Phi, Residential Life peer advisor, Student Health Advisory Council president
Colbey’s mentor is Etti Naveh-Benjamin, Department of Psychology.
Julie Ronzio, Elementary Education
Julie is from St. Louis and is the daughter of Louis and Leslie Ronzio.
Activities and Honors include: Alpha Delta Pi, College of Education ambassador, College of Education Student Council, Dance Marathon tri-director, Summer Welcome leader
Julie’s mentor is Michelle Bollinger, College of Education.
Hannah Schillinger, Elementary Education
Hannah is from Fenton, Mo. and is the daughter of Carl and April Schillinger.
Activities and Honors include: Alpha Phi Omega, Caring for Columbia tri-director, Honors College, Kappa Delta Pi, Summer Welcome leader
Hannah’s mentor is Leigh Neier, College of Education.
Morgan Schmit, Business Administration
Morgan is from Moberly, Mo. and is the daughter of Ted and Peggy Schmit.
Activities and Honors include: College of Business ambassador, Discovery Fellows Scholar, Greek Week Steering Committee, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Trulaske Consulting Association
Morgan’s mentor is Aaron Cook, Trulaske College of Business.
Nathan Smith, Agricultural Business Management
Nathan is from Columbia, Mo. and is the son of Michael and Stephanie Smith.
Activities and Honors include: 1st Cavalry Division Gold Spurs Award, Agricultural Economics Club, Alpha Zeta, Mizzou Student Veterans Organization, United States Army
Nathan’s mentor is Jan Dauve, Department of Agricultural Economics.
Brandon Thiel, Plant Science
Brandon is from Marshall, Mo. and is the son of Bryan Thiel and Michelle Smith.
Activities and Honors include: Agronomy Club, Alpha Gamma Rho, CAFNR Student Council, Centennial Homecoming Steering Committee tri-director, Omicron Delta Kappa
Brandon’s mentor is David Trinklein, Department of Plant Science.
Kylie Tutko, Spanish and Strategic Communication
Kylie is from Colorado Springs, Colo. and is the daughter of John and Kathy Tutko.
Activities and Honors include: Caring for Columbia Steering Committee, Chi Omega, Honors College ambassador, Journalism Student Council president, School of Journalism ambassador
Kylie’s mentor is Ivan Reyna, Department of Romance Languages and Literature.
Lakeisha Williams, Strategic Communication
Lakeisha is from Chicago and is the daughter of Lawrence and Beverly Williams.
Activities and Honors include: Big XII Conference on Black Student Government co-chair, Mortar Board, Mizzou’s Black Women Initiative, MSA Multicultural Issues Committee, MSA Student Court
Lakeisha’s mentor is Farouk Aregbe, Department of Student Life.
Laura Young, Nursing
Laura is from Southlake, Texas and is the daughter of Keith and Jeanette Young.
Activities and Honors include: Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, Kappa Alpha Theta, Mizzou Golden Girl, Nursing Student Council, Omicron Delta Kappa
Laura’s mentor is Nicole Bartow, Sinclair School of Nursing.