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.
Congratulations the 2018 Class of Mizzou '39!
Walta Abraham
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Activities/Honors: National Society of Black Engineers - President, Region 5 National Society of Black Engineers - Regional Leadership Chair, Epsilon Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Civil Engineering Undergraduate Researcher for McNair Scholars Program, College of Engineering Ambassador, Mystical 7 Secret Honor Society Member, Mizzou Alternative Breaks Site Leader
Mentor: Dr. Enos Inniss, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Civil Engineering
Walta Abraham is the daughter of Almaz Araia and Tesfaldet Abraham
Michael Chadwick
Major: Sport Management
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Activities/Honors: Team Captain and 22 time All-American for Mizzou Swimming and Diving, USA National Team, SAAC Member
Mentor: Andrew Grevers, Associate Head Coach, Swimming and Diving
Michael Chadwick is the son of David and Marilynn Chadwick
Mike Carlson
Major: Strategic Communication
Hometown: Denver, CO
Activities/Honors: Tour Team, Delta Chi Fraternity, Influence & Co., Homecoming Top 30 Nominee, Novak Leadership Institute Member
Mentor: Terry Britt, PhD Student/Graduate Instructor, Journalism
Mike Carlson is the son of Chris and Julie Carlson
Thomas Cassimatis
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: O'Fallon, MO
Activities/Honors: Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Mizzou Alternative Breaks site leader, Cherng Summer Scholars Researcher, Global Brigades participant
Mentor: Thomas Phillips, Professor of Biological Sciences
Thomas Cassimatis is the son of Mike and Louis Cassimatis
Taylor Cofield
Major: Political Science & International Studies
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Activities/Honors: President of Mortar Board Honor Society, 2016 Vice-Chairwoman for MSA Board of Elections Commissioners, MSA Senator 2016, U.S. Department of State Critical Language (Arabic) Scholar, 2017 Harry S. Truman Scholar, 2017 U.S. State Department Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow
Mentor: Tim Parshall, Fellowships Office
Taylor Cofield is the daughter of Raquel Cofield
Taylor Dailing
Major: Health Sciences
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Activities/Honors: Alpha Chi Omega, Greek Week Steering Committee, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Mizzou Student Suicide Prevention Coalition, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women
Mentor: Kristin Hathaway, Alpha Chi Omega Chapter Advisor, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Taylor Dailing is the daughter of Randy and Carol Dailing and sister of Megan Dailing
Jordan Danso
Major: Finance, Economics, & Real Estate
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Activities/Honors: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Trulaske College of Business Ambassadors, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, Mizzou Homecoming Steering Committee, Residential Life Ambassador, Learning Center Tutor, Residential Life Community Adviser, ODE Economics Honor Society, Vasey Academy Scholar, Civic Leaders Internship Program, Conversation Partners
Mentor: Steven Goldschmidt, Assistant Chair and Instructor for Financial Mathematics
Jordan Danso is the daughter of Joyce and Steve Danso
Ric Dickens
Major: Strategic Communication
Hometown: Coppell, TX
Activities/Honors: Catholic Student Association Executive Board, Mizzou After Dark Production Assistant, Homecoming Steering Committee Member, MOJO Ad Media Planner
Mentor: Kavita Grewal, Student Service Coordinator, Academic Retention Services
Ric Dickens is the son of Dan and Demetra Dickens
Alexis Ditaway
Major: Digital Storytelling & Black Studies
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Activities/Honors: Founder of MediatedMelanin.com, Co-Host/Producer for DGJ, Communications Director for KCOU, National Association of Black Journalists, Student Success Center Ambassador, Mizzou Homecoming Royalty Top 10 Candidate, National Society of Black Engineers
Mentor: Velma Buckner, Director, GOBCC
Alexis Ditaway is the daughter of Glendora and Carl Ditaway
Billy Donley
Major: Organizational Communication
Hometown: St. Ann, MO
Activities/Honors: President of Residence Halls Association (RHA), Chancellor's Emerging Leadership Award Recipient, Student Adviser in Residential Life, Executive Member in STRIPES, Family Relations Director in MizzouThon, Member of the University Libraries Student Advisory Council, Member of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), Member of It's On Us Committee
Mentor: Luke Gorham, Career Services Coordinator, MU School of Health Professions
Billy is the son of Michael and Debbie Donley
Cole Edwards
Major: Agricultural Economics
Hometown: Salisbury, MO
Activities/Honors: Homecoming Steering Committee Tri-Director, Kinder Scholar on Constitutional Democracy, Alpha Gamma Rho
Mentor: Aly Friend, Coordinator of Student Programs, Mizzou Alumni Association
Cole Edwards is the son of Steve and Deb Edwards
Daniel Esteve
Major: Sports Broadcast Journalism
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Activities/Honors: MU Tour Team, KOMU 8 News/Sports, Mizzou Women's Basketball Scout Team, Mizzou Men's Club Basketball
Mentor: Le Ann Stroupe, Director of Visitor Relations
Daniel Esteve is the son of Tomas and Lisa Esteve
Bridget Everson
Major: Political Science and International Studies - Peace Studies
Hometown: Winfield, IL
Activities/Honors: Board of Elections Commissioners, Missouri Students Association, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity
Mentor: Farouk Aregbe, Manager of Student Support Services, Center for Academic Success and Excellence
Bridget Everson is the daughter of Dennis and Julie Everson
Nora Faris
Major: Science & Agricultural Journalism
Hometown: Concordia, MO
Activities/Honors: Kinder Scholar and Kinder Fellow - Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, KOMU-8 TV Reporter, KBIA Reporter and Anchor, CAFNR Ambassadors, Mortar Board, Civic Leaders Internship Program, CLIP Congressional Scholars, Radio Television Digital News Foundation Presidents Scholar, National FFA Organization, Mizzou Student Foundation, Truman Scholarship National Finalist, National Association of Farm Broadcasting Scholar
Mentor: Sharon Wood-Turley, Program Chair and Adviser for Science and Agricultural Journalism
Nora Faris is the daughter of Paul and Betty Faris
Clare Gannon
Major: Health Sciences
Hometown: Hamilton, NJ
Activities/Honors: Summer Welcome Leader, MizzouRec TigerX Cycling Instructor, Sigma Eta Rho Leadership Committee -Recruitment Chair, Women's Leadership Conference Executive Board - Marketing Chair, Mizzou Alternative Breaks
Mentor: David Rielley, Senior Coordinator, New Student Programs
Clare Gannon is the daughter of Eileen and Thomas Gannon
Nolan Gromacki
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Smithville, MO
Activities/Honors: Mizzou Baseball Team Captain, Tapped into Senior Honor Society QEBH, President of Mizzou Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Athletics Liaison for MU It's On Us
Mentor: Nick Basler, Pre-Engineering Coordinator, College of Engineering
Nolan Gromacki is the son of Michael and Kristen Gromacki
Carolyn Heger
Major: Finance & Banking, Business & Economics Journalism
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Activities/Honors: Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society - Alumni Relations Chair, Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Kappa Delta Sorority, Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society, St. Thomas More Newman Center
Mentor: Randy Smith, Donald W. Reynolds Endowed Chair in Business Journalism, Missouri School of Journalism
Carolyn Heger is the daughter of David and Lynne Heger
Alex Higginbotham
Major: Political Science & Sociology
Hometown: Odessa, MO
Activities/Honors: Missouri Students Association, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Associated Students of the University of Missouri, CLIP, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Mentor: Danica Wolf, Lead Coordinator, RSVP Center
Alex Higginbotham is the son of Glenda Bertz and Chris Higginbotham
Jalyn Johnson
Major: Sports Broadcast
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Activities/Honors: United Ambassadors Diversity Student Recruitment Team, 2016 Summer Welcome Leader, National Association of Black Journalists, Member of Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society
Mentor: Allison Pudlik, Admissions Representative, Office of Admissions
Jalyn Johnson is the daughter of Reginald and Janet Johnson
Landon Jones
Major: Radio/Television Producing & Creative Writing
Hometown: Popular Bluff, MO
Activities/Honors: Coordinator for Diversity Peer Educators, Director of Leadership and Service for Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Coordinator of Mizzou Community 360, 2016 Summer Welcome Leader, Walter Williams Scholar of Journalism, Proud Tiger Mentor, Chair of the Department of Student Activities Speakers Committee
Mentor: Shawn Wallace, Academic Adviser
Landon Jones is the child of Roseanna Barton and Donald Jones
Katherine Kokal
Major: Print and Digital International News
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Activities/Honors: Kappa Alpha Theta, MizzouRec Services and Facilities, Luverne Walton Scholarship Recipient, MU Vagina Monologues, Mizzou Student Suicide Prevention Coalition, Columbia Missourian, 91.3 KBIA
Mentor: Julie Passanante Elman, Assistant Professor, Women and Gender Studies
Katherine Kokal, daughter of Amy Fox and Bradley Kokal
Morgan Kopitsky
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Fredericktown, MO
Activities/Honors: Outreach Student Recruitment Team, Journalism Ambassador Program, Office of Admissions Intern
Mentor: Jim Spain, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
Morgan is the daughter of Alan and Jane Kopitsky
Claire Kopsky
Major: Convergence Television Reporting
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Activities/Honors: 4-Year Journalist at KOMU - Anchor and Reporter, Reportered for the Missourian, NPR's KBIA and Newsy.com, Represented Mizzou during a reporting trip to Beijing, China, Interned in NYC and London, University Tour Team, Kappa Alpha Theta - Executive Board and various committees, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, Mizzou Forte A capella Group
Mentor: Amy Simons, Associate Professor, Convergence Journalism
Claire Kopsky is the daughter of Paul and Nancy Kopsky Jr.
Kira Larson
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Fargo, ND
Activities/Honors: Mizzou Volleyball, NCAA All American Volleyball, Mizzou Three Stripes Club, All SEC Honor Roll
Mentor: Pam Evans-Smith, Graduate Faculty, Nursing
Kira Larson is the daughter of Don and Desiree Larson
Haydn Lock
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Activities/Honors: 2017 Mizzou Homecoming Steering Committee, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Chi Epsilon - Civil Engineering Fraternity
Mentor: Ahmed Abu El-Ela, Assistant Teaching Professor
Haydn Lock is the son of Randy Lock and Brenda Lock
Kayla Myers
Major: Journalism & Digital Storytelling
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Activities/Honors: President - Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, Student Coordinator - FIGs Program, Summer Welcome 2016, Griffiths Leadership Society, MizzouThon, AHS Scholar, Honors College, It's On Us, Women of Color Retreat Planning Committee, 2016 RHA Peer Advisor of the Year, Visual Art and Design Showcase
Mentor: Katina Bitsicas, Interim Director and Assistant Teaching Professor, Digital Storytelling
Kayla Myers is the daughter of Trenda and Royce Myers
Falyn Page
Major: Convergence TV Reporting & Multimedia Producing
Hometown: Houston, TX
Activities/Honors: Diversity Award, Dean's List past 2 years, Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society, Mizzou Tour Guide, Vice President of the Athletic Ambassador Team, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Mentor: Le Ann Stroupe, Director of Visitor Relations
Falyn Page is the daughter of Cheronda Harrell and Francis Page
Avina Patel
Major: Biology & Psychology
Hometown: St. Genevieve, MO
Activities/Honors: South Asian Student Association, Involvement Ambassadors, Senior Desk Attendant for Residential Life, Residential Life Ambassadors, Relay for Life Steering Committee and Executive Board, Mizzou Alternative Breaks Site Leader, Mizzou 2017 Homecoming Steering Committee, 2017 Women's Leadership Conference Executive Board, Alpha Phi Omega, Global Brigades, Language Partners, Mizzou Masti Dance Team, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, and TRiO Scholars.
Mentor: Tara Jackson, Administrative Assistant, Department of Social Justice
Avina Patel is the daughter of Hemant Bhagha and Dhrutika Patel
Jason Peiser
Major: Business Management
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, IL
Activities/Honors: Zeta Beta Tau - Founding President, Summer Welcome Leader, Chabad Jewish Student Organization - President, Entrepreneurship Alliance, IFC Peer Educator, Memorial Unions Entrepreneurship Scholarship Program Recipient
Mentor: Greg Bier, Director of the Entrepreneurship Alliance, Trulaske College of Business
Jason is the son of Jack and Karen Peiser
Tori Schafer
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Sylvania, OH
Activities/Honors: It's On Us Mizzou Director, Missouri Students Association VP 17', Associated Students of the University of Missouri VP, Alpha Delta Pi, Homecoming Queen, Green Dot Peer Facilitator, Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center student staff, Team Mizzou member
Mentor: Chris Walters, Prevention Coordinator, RSVP Center
Tori Schafer is the daughter of Mark and Shelly Schafer
Lindsay Smith
Major: Psychology & Sociology
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Activities/Honors: Summer Welcome Leader, The Black Sheep Chief Campus Editor, Undergraduate Research Assistant in AADM Lab
Mentor: Laura Scherer, Assistant Professor, Psychology
Lindsay Smith is the daughter of Jenny Sprague and Matthew Smith
Brandon Splitter
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Carthage, MO
Activities/Honors: MizzouThon Leadership, It's On Us Exec, Residential Life Hall of Fame, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Homecoming Top Ten Royalty Candidate
Mentor: Carli Conklin, Associate Law Professor, Kinder Institute Associate Professor of Constitutional Democracy
Brandon Splitter is the son of Kim and Anthony Splitter
Cole Stoecklein
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Bentonville, AR
Activities/Honors: President of Theta Chi Fraternity, Served on the Leadership Team for Student Mobilization
Mentor: Hunter Jewett, Campus Staff, Student Mobilization
Cole Stoecklein is the son of Dan and Kristin Stoecklein
Gabrielle Vest
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Pevely, MO
Activities/Honors: Mizzou Unity Coalition - Founder and President, Mizzou Global Brigades - Program Director, Omicron Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta - Greek Week Liaison, Chancellor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities, Lee Henson Access Award
Mentor: Amber Cheek, Disability Inclusion and ADA Compliance Manager, Office of Accessibility and ADA Education
Gabrielle Vest is the daughter of Rick and Sandy Vest
Kyle Wansing
Major: Business Administration & Biological Sciences
Hometown: St. Charles, MO
Activities/Honors: Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Caring for Columbia, Homecoming Steering Committee
Mentor: Sarah Edwards, Coordinator of Service - Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Office of Student Engagement
Kyle Wansing is the son of Josh and Michelle Wansing
Hope Watson
Major: Strategic Communication & Political Science
Hometown: Jefferson City, MO
Activities/Honors: Co-Founder and Non-Profit Director of Roots LLC, Mizzou Student Foundation, Kappa Alpha Theta, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Mentor: Stefanie Gray, Coordinator, Donor Relations
Hope Watson is the daughter of John and Julie Watson
Hanna Yowell
Major: Strategic Communication
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Activities/Honors: It's On Us, Homecoming Steering Committee, MizzouThon, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Camp Kesem, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, MOJO Ad
Mentor: Ryan Gavin, Strategic Communications Manager, Division of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
Hanna is the daughter of Nancy and Glenn Yowell
Daphne Yu
Major: Journalism & Political Science
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Activities/Honors: Asian American Association Internal Vice President - External Vice President - President, Planning committee member of two regional APIA Conferences (MAASU Leadership Summit) at Mizzou, 2016 Mizzou Ambassador for APIA Vote; Two term President of Alpha Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc., Two-term Executive Chair of the Midwest Asian American Students Union Executive Coordinating Committee, Peer Adviser with Residential Life, Mizzou Undergraduate Research Forum Winner in the Social Sciences Division, planning committee member of the annual Women of Color retreat
Mentor: Stephanie Hernandez, Former Coordinator, Multicultural Center
Daphne Yu is the daughter of Jay Yu and Shan-Yu Ho
Becca Zeiger
Major: Strategic Communication
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Activities/Honors: Emerging Greek Leaders Program Peer Facilitator, Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol Peer Educator, Mizzou Unity Coalition, Kappa Alpha Theta Yearlong Activities Director, MU Disability Center Employee, Outreach Student Recruitment, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Omicron Delta Kappa Distinguished 14 Freshman
Mentor: Amber Cheek, Director of Accessibility and ADA Coordinator, Office for Civil Rights and Title IX
Becca Zeiger is the daughter of Ky and Brian Zeiger