Nine Journalism Students Receive Mizzou ’39 Outstanding Senior Award
By Lindsey Carpenter
Columbia, Mo. (April 10, 2006) — Nine journalism students are among the top seniors in the Class of 2006.
Created in 2005 by the University of Missouri Alumni Association, the Mizzou ’39 Award honors 39 outstanding seniors for their leadership, scholarship and service to the University and community. It recognizes the spirit of service modeled by the founding families that made possible the 1839 founding of the University of Missouri.
“We believe we have some of the very best students at the University of Missouri, and the ’39 Awards competition proves that,” said Brian S. Brooks, associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration in the Missouri School of Journalism.
The recipients were recognized at four different events including a special Mizzou ’39 reception, the Founder’s Day Celebration, a special Mizzou ’39 award banquet and at half-time of the MU vs. Texas A&M men’s basketball game.
Margy Fischer, a senior from Clemson, S.C., will graduate in May with a degree in agricultural journalism and a minor in agricultural economics. She has worked as a public relations intern at the American Farm Bureau Federation and with Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow. Fischer received a student fellowship with Monsanto Public Affairs. She has served as vice president of public relations on the 2005 Panhellenic Executive Council, president of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Ambassador, member of the Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, columnist for the Missouri Ruralist magazine, member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and steering committee member for Caring for Columbia. Fischer has accepted a job with Farm Journal in Mexico, Mo., as an assistant editor.
Abby Foster, a senior from Jefferson City, Mo., will graduate in May with a degree in advertising. She has served as a Tri-Director for Rockin’ Against Multiple Sclerosis, a Journalism teaching assistant, a Journalism Ambassador and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. After graduation, Foster plans pursue a career in account management at a large advertising agency.
Alisha Johnson, a senior from Memphis, Tenn., will graduate in May with degrees in broadcast news journalism and sociology. She has held many campus leadership roles including 2005 Homecoming Queen, program assistant for Academic Retention Services, and supervisor of Mizzou Annual Fund. Johnson also serves as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Legion of Black Collegians, United Ambassadors, the Multicultural Affairs Peer Mediation Program and as a 2005 Summer Welcome Leader. She is a television producer for KOMU, and plans to continue producing after graduation in the southern part of the U.S.
Leah Lohse, a senior from Albert Lea, Minn., will graduate in May with degrees in newspaper journalism and religious studies. She works as an assistant city editor at the Columbia Missourian and has interned at her hometown newspaper, The Albert Lea Tribune. Lohse has been a Residential Life Peer Advisor in Mark Twain Hall, a Journalism Ambassador and a member of the MU Honors College. She also co-led a Habitat for Humanity trip during the 2005 Spring Break. After graduation, Lohse plans to work with young women and AIDS education in Africa.
Julia Luscher, a senior from Kearney, Neb., will graduate in May with degrees in magazine journalism and political science. Luscher founded and acted as editor-in-chief of shOUT Magazine, a lesbian gay bisexual transgender and ally campus publication. She was a student coordinator for the Freshman Interest Groups program, a peer advisor in the residence halls, a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, secretary of Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, a Journalism Ambassador and a teaching assistant for magazine editing. After graduation, Luscher plans to work in magazine or newspaper copy-editing.
Dusti Lyon
Samantha Marcus, a senior from Chicago, Ill., will graduate in May with degrees in newspaper journalism and political science and a minor in Spanish. Marcus has interned for the Missouri House of Representatives Chief Clerk, the Missouri General Assembly Department of Research and the American Bar Association. She is president of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, and has served on the 2004 Homecoming Steering Committee, 2005 Dance Marathon Steering Committee, 2004 and 2005 Greek Judicial Boards and the Academic Integrity Judicial Board. Marcus plans to attend law school.
Laura Meyer, a senior from Minneapolis, Minn., will graduate in May with a degree in advertising. She has served as the vice president of Pi Beta Phi sorority and a leader of two all-Greek mission trips to Jamaica. She has served on the executive board for Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society. After graduation, Meyer plans to work in marketing or public relations in Minneapolis.
Jamie Pabst, a senior from Jefferson City, Mo., will graduate in May with a major in advertising and a minor in business. She has had internships with MOJO Ad, MAGIC International in New York, a fashion communications company that produces the largest most comprehensive trade fashion show in the world, the MU Athletic Department and Williams-Keepers, LLC in Columbia. She also has had an advertising mentorship with members of a creative team at New York office of BBDO, an advertising agency. Pabst’s leadership activities include the 2005 Homecoming Steering Committee, Block Rock 2006 Steering Committee, Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor, Relay for Life Team Leader, and public relations vice president of her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. Pabst plans to pursue a career in creative art direction at an ad agency in New York upon graduation in May.
Lindsey Carpenter, of Colleyville, Texas, is a senior broadcast major at the Missouri School of Journalism. She is a sports reporter for KOMU, and has previously interned at MTV in New York and FOX Sports Southwest in Dallas. Carpenter plans to pursue a career in sports and entertainment marketing.
Updated: April 9, 2020