12 Missouri Journalism Seniors Named to Elite Mizzou ’39
Columbia, Mo. (March 18, 2008) — The Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board (AASB) recently named 12 Missouri School of Journalism seniors to the 2008 class of Mizzou ’39.
Mizzou ’39 honors outstanding seniors for their academic achievements, leadership and service. Created by the AASB in 2005, the name pays tribute to the spirit of service modeled by the families that supported the founding of the University in 1839. Each year, only 39 of the more than 3,000 graduating seniors at the University of Missouri earn this distinction.
Mizzou ’39 honorees must be seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. A committee of alumni, faculty and staff review the applications and select the winners.
“Since Mizzou ’39 began, Missouri Journalism students have consistently been well represented in this elite program,” said Brian Brooks, associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration. “We recruit high-ability students from all over the country who come here and not only make a difference on this campus but also on the profession of journalism.”
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Top row, from left: Julie Abaray, Katie Allen, Alexa Fornoff, Sarah French, Lauren Gress, Lucinda Housley. Second row: Emily Kozicki, Samantha Park, Jennifer Powell, Ashley Thurmon, Jessica Witte.
The University recognized this year’s recipients at a ceremony on Francis Quadrangle followed by a reception at The Heidelberg on Jan. 28. They also were introduced during halftime of the Missouri men’s basketball game Feb. 9.
The 12 Missouri Journalism seniors honored this year were:
- Julie Abaray, radio-television journalism major from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Select Activities: Women’s Gymnastics, Central Missouri Food Bank, Starlight Reading Program, Adopt a Family, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Mentor: Jennifer Beggs, Department of Sociology. - Katie Allen, agricultural journalism major from Marceline, Mo.
Select Activities: 4-H Livestock Judging Coach, Mizzou Collegiate Cattle Women, Farm Safety College, Alternative Spring Break, Ronald McDonald House Charities. Mentor: Chip Kemp, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. - Alexa Fornoff, magazine journalism major from Fremont, Neb.
Select Activities: Tigers Taming Hunger, Mortar Board, Mystical 7, Summer Welcome, Gamma Phi Beta, Homecoming Steering Committee. Mentor: Jennifer Rowe, associate professor, magazine journalism. - Sarah French, radio-television journalism major from Hot Springs, Ark.
Select Activities: Miss Missouri 2006, Children’s Miracle Network, Special Olympics, Pi Beta Phi, Mortar Board Public Relations Officer, Homecoming Steering Committee, Homecoming Royalty Court 2007, KOMU, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Volunteer Intern. Mentor: Greeley Kyle, assistant professor, radio-television journalism. - Lauren Gress, radio-television journalism major with theater minor from Indianapolis, Ind.
Select Activities: Department of Theatre Productions, Alpha Chi Omega, Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, One By One Mission Trip to Jamaica, Total Person Program Tutor, Mortar Board. Mentor: Greeley Kyle, assistant professor, radio-television journalism. - Lucinda Housley, newspaper journalism and political science double major from Nixa, Mo.
Select Activities: Journalism Ambassador, MSA Student Court, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Journalism Scholars Executive Board, Missouri Senate Majority Caucus Intern. Mentor: Elizabeth Brixey, assistant professor, newspaper journalism. - Emily Kozicki, strategic communication major from St. Charles, Mo.
Select Activities: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Homecoming Steering Committee, Alpha Delta Pi. Mentor: Bethany Stone, Department of Biological Sciences. - Samantha Park, strategic communication major and Spanish minor from Washington, Mo.
Select Activities: STRIPES, Pi Beta Phi, Outreach Team, Summer Welcome Leader, Women’s Center Language Exchange Program. Mentor: Eric Park, father, Department of Finance. - Jennifer Powell, magazine journalism major from Rock Island, Ill.
Select Activities: Marching Mizzou, Honors College Ambassador, LEAD Mizzou, Tau Beta Sigma, Student Union Programming Board, Career Center, Founder and Coordinator of Mutual Expectations. Mentor: Craig Benson, Career Planning and Placement Center. - Mark Stanley, strategic communication journalism and Spanish double major from Southlake, Texas.
Select Activities: Honors College Ambassador Tri-Chair, Greek Judicial Board, National Society of Collegiate Scholars Treasurer, MOJO Ad Account Executive, Newman Center Scholar, Alternative Spring Break. Mentor: Stuart Palonsky, MU Honors College. - Ashley Thurmon, strategic communication major with Spanish and business minors from Higginsville, Mo.
Select Activities: The Shelter, Tigers Taming Hunger, Special Olympics, American Red Cross, Pi Beta Phi, True Tiger, Homecoming Steering Committee, MOJO Ad, Greek Week Steering Committee. Mentor: Laura Bondy, Mizzou Alumni Association. - Jessica Witte, strategic communication and political science double major from Wentzville, Mo.
Select Activities: Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity President, Peer Advisor, Associated Students Legislative Director, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, tutor for Athletic Department, Public Relations Account Executive for MOJO Ad, Walter Williams Scholar, Student Staff Training Leader, Dow Chemical Company, Cameron Public Relations. Mentor: David Webber, Department of Political Science.
Updated: April 27, 2020