Sonja Steptoe, BJ, BA Economics '82

What are your proudest personal and professional accomplishments?

Academically, I'm proud to have been a member of the Mizzou Honors College and Economics Department's undergraduate Class of 1982, which was a pretty fine company. I list as my professional points of pride serving in President Obama's Administration during his first term and overseeing the successful, multi-platform marketing campaign to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Georgia’s highly regarded quality childcare rating and improvement system over the past six months. Most importantly, I'm personally proud that I was able to help care for my mother during the final years of her life.

How have your education and experiences in the College of Arts and Science helped you in your career and beyond? 

The relationships I developed with so many professors in A&S and throughout the University shaped me in a multitude of ways. John Kuhlman in the Economics Department imparted valuable wisdom about life and taught me to be a critical thinker. He and Ted Tarkow, head of the Honors College, encouraged my ambitions, and by writing all those countless recommendation letters, made me feel like I could do anything. At the same time, they never let me take myself too seriously. The office doors of so many others in A&S, such as Gil Porter, Bob Collins, and Peter Markie, were also open to me always. Additionally, I was beyond blessed to have the guidance and support of Bob Bailey from the Law School as I navigated through the University and beyond. All of these generous and exceptional people made my four years at a university amid tens of thousands of students feel like an intimate liberal arts college experience.

 
What are a few of your fondest memories from your time at Mizzou? 

I was privileged to have access to a wide range of enriching experiences while I was an undergraduate at Mizzou. I really loved living in Eva Johnston Hall. I forged friendships with a lot of my classmates over the years, many of whom are still good friends. I enjoyed going to football games, seeing The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Animal House, and participating in Tap Day. It was really fun getting all dressed up and attending the performances in Jesse Hall Auditorium that were part of the Concert Series organized by Dr. Bill Bondeson and his committees. Of all the wonderful classes I took, there were several truly special ones that will stay with me always: Honors Introduction to Economics with John Kuhlman; The American Nobel Prize Winners in Literature with Gil Porter, and of course, Introduction to Shakespeare with Mac Jones. The one fond memory I missed out on was completing the Humanities Sequence. I regret that I didn't manage to fit it into my schedule.

What does receiving this award mean to you? 

During the (many!) years since I graduated, the administrators, faculty, and staff have not only allowed me to serve the University in a variety of capacities, but they’ve also bestowed upon me a number of honors, each more humbling than its predecessor. The Dean's Enduring Excellence Award is most gratifying because it means that I have earned an A from the College of Arts and Science on the demanding assignment to apply well the advice and lessons from my family and all the extraordinary people who mentored me during my four years here. I proudly accept it as a tribute to all of them. 

Ted Tarkow, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Classics, Archaeology, and Religion

What are your proudest personal and professional accomplishments?

The privilege of having worked with and for six deans and 9 classics department chairs (and over 100 A&S chairs) has been a source of endless satisfaction.  

The pleasure in having learned from colleagues across campus on such projects as Recruit Back, Transfer and Articulation, FIGs, Summer Welcome, and Commencement has enabled me to appreciate the complexity and the importance of what hundreds of hard-working colleagues contribute daily to our teaching, research, and service missions  

My work with the Missouri Scholars Academy has allowed me to meet teachers, counselors, and administrators from across the state, and has given me invaluable insight into the spectrum of Missouri schools…. And to the potential of what an invigorating curriculum for high school students can do for their maturation and motivation.

I am especially proud of having helped “others” succeed. Whether “others” are staff or faculty colleagues, high – ability or at-risk students, alumni who somehow managed to graduate or those who did so with innumerable honors and recognitions, they are all individuals whose life stories I have been fortunate to help mold.  I hear from close to 10 former students and/or colleagues every week and take pleasure in learning what they have become and are still becoming.

 And I would be remiss in not acknowledging the pride I feel every day in exposing undergraduates (esp. “first-generation” students) to the Greco-Roman world.  Their literary, artistic, and philosophical works remain for us, as they did for Thomas Jefferson, a “rich source of delight”, as he reminded his good friend, the renowned scientist Joseph Priestly, on January 27, 1800. If Priestley’s work on oxygen remains indispensable for so much in our understanding of chemistry, Jefferson’s fascination with the classics suggests an oxygen of continuing importance for different fields of human knowledge.  The continuing importance of the Ancient Mediterranean world on our campus acknowledges our own indebtedness to Jefferson and our own continued appreciation of “this rich source of delight.”

And I would be even far more remiss if I did not acknowledge my profound indebtedness to my wife, Margie.  Her death the very day I learned of this award tempers the gratitude I feel with sadness for my loss of a true soulmate.  The insistent belief of the Greeks in moderation allows me to appreciate the balance between the pleasure of one part of a day and the pain of another.

What are a few of your fondest memories from your time at Mizzou?

The innumerable and unpredictable joys of watching and helping undergraduates grow up are a constant source of reinvigorating my own sense of humor:

• “I got pretty good grades this term. Have I been dismissed from probation?”
• “I didn’t know that there were A&S majors.”
• “I made a big mistake in taking a thinking-intensive course.”  
• “If you need me to say it, I will: I need to be coddled.”

What does receiving this award mean to you?

It reminds me that leadership has one primary function: it allows others to succeed.  Whether I have helped students, or faculty and staff colleagues, or alumni, or the institution, philanthropy’s major role is the same as it has been for earlier roles I have played at MU.  

By giving one enables others to do the same.

Dr. Amy M. Knopps, BS Ed Music Education '01

What are your proudest personal and professional accomplishments?

My proudest moment, both personally and professionally, is when Marching Mizzou led the 96th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and performed brilliantly on 34th street representing the University of Missouri and the state of Missouri. Our students will remember their memories made in New York City for years to come, which is deeply meaningful to me.

How have your education and experiences in the College of Arts and Science helped you in your career and beyond?

During my time as an undergraduate student, I was thankful to have a mentor, then Director of Bands, Dr. Dale J. Lonis, who believed in me and allowed me to participate in a range of advanced opportunities, all of which I earned and was ready to take on as a young student. Those achievements helped me earn the Director of Bands position I did directly out of my degree that set the tone for the rest of my career. 

What are a few of your fondest memories from your time at Mizzou?

In general, the friendships I formed in Marching Mizzou created my fondest memories during my time at Mizzou. I met one of my best friends to this day night one of Marching Mizzou Band Camp my first year. 

What does receiving this award mean to you?

I am deeply honored because it is in recognition of our achievements as a program since I returned to Mizzou to serve as a faculty member. I care greatly about our School of Music, our band program, and Marching Mizzou because all gave so much to me as an undergraduate student. Being a member of Marching Mizzou changed my life and I want our program to do the same for our band family members.

Dr. Wade Davis, PhD Statistics '03

What are your proudest personal and professional accomplishments?

I am proud of my PhD in Statistics from University of Missouri, and the large family that we have: five children, ranging from a high school freshman to a kindergartener, so there is never a dull moment in our house. Professionally, achieving tenure in academia and then later leading large computational teams in pharmaceutical and biotech has been very exciting. Making an impact on people’s lives, whether students or patients, is very rewarding for me.

How have your education and experiences in the College of Arts and Science helped you in your career and beyond?

On multiple levels, I wouldn’t be where I am today without that education or experience. I met my future wife while a student in A&S. I made deep connections with great instructors in the Department of Statistics, whom I’ve regularly spoken with over the past 20 years since I graduated. Learning to become a life-long learner has been the biggest impact and helped me in all facets of my development.

What are a few of your fondest memories from your time at Mizzou?

I enjoy comedy, so watching stand-up at the original Deja Vu Comedy Club (7th and Cherry, now the Candy Factory) was a favorite weekend activity in graduate school. Another great memory was that my PhD advisor, Joe Cavanaugh, would personally treat all the students in one of the foundational course sequences to a pizza party at Shakespeare’s. It was always nice to celebrate the end of a challenging semester with my fellow students. But my fondest memory of all was watching Mizzou sports. I was a season ticket holder in basketball and football. Watching Brad Smith was always exciting, especially in person.

What does receiving this award mean to you?

It is very rewarding to be recognized by my academic “family.” I remember as a student interacting with alumni that had been recognized for their accomplishments, and I never would have imagined being in a similar position one day. I am honored and humbled to be nominated by my department and to ultimately receive this award from among the many distinguished alumni of the College of Arts and Science.

Dr. Svitlana Mayboroda, PhD Mathematics '05

What are your proudest personal and professional accomplishments?

It is very difficult for me to identify my main professional accomplishments as some of them had long lasting impact despite feeling relatively modest in the moment, others seemed big and received a lot of recognition but closed rather than opened a certain direction in the field, yet others served as a jumping board for new ventures. I would say that my work with V. Maz'ya on the biharmonic equation (plate vibrations), my work with S. Hofmann and later G. David on the fine interplay between geometry and regularity of the solutions to partial differential equations, and finally, my work on the wave localization have shaped my professional career.

How have your education and experiences in the College of Arts and Science helped you in your career and beyond?

My PhD from the University of Missouri and the general scientific direction I chose back then, harmonic analysis and partial differential equations, remain a backbone of my career. I will be forever grateful to my advisor, Marius Mitrea, for everything I learned from him in those days, and the collaboration with Steve Hofmann which started during my PhD years, and has given rise to more than 15 years of exciting and fruitful work. I have to mention also that I was lucky to be a graduate student at a time when the Department of Mathematics at the University of Missouri had an incredibly vibrant and active community of professors, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students in my area. The courses, professional advice, and guidance of Alex Iosevich, Yuri Latushkin, Nigel Kalton, Alex Koldobsky, Loukas Grafakos, Fritz Geztesy, Konstantin Makarov, Peter Casazza, and the support and friendship of my peers have made a deep impact on my life and career. Twenty years later, we organized a conference of the departmet alumni focused on analysis and partial differential equations which hosted so many former graduate students and postdocs wo became distinguished scientists in the intervening years

What are a few of your fondest memories from your time at Mizzou?

Lively and vibrant scientific life, friendships, and collaborations, some of which lasted a lifetime, are the first things that comes to mind.

What does receiving this award mean to you?

I am very honored and touched by this recognition, and I am deeply grateful to the department and University.

Jerica Leiby, BS HES Textile and Apparel Management '15

Distinguished Recent Alum

What are your proudest personal and professional accomplishments?

My proudest personal accomplishment is moving to two brand new cities over the course of adulthood (New York and Portland) – forcing me to step out of my comfort zone to establish personal networks. In both cases, I found personal and professional success and was also able to get involved with my new communities.

My proudest professional accomplishment is leading PVH Corporation, in partnership with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, as the first fashion company to implement the How2Recycle symbol on Calvin Klein Underwear packaging. This project was a huge step forward in educating our consumers on the best way to recycle our packaging to reduce end-of-life environmental impacts.

How have your education and experiences in the College of Arts and Science helped you in your career and beyond?

The exposure I received to different jobs in the fashion and retail industries while in the TAM program helped me find my passion for supply chain, ultimately leading me to my role with Nike today.

What are a few of your fondest memories from your time at Mizzou?

Visiting the Kohl’s and Land’s End headquarters in Wisconsin with the Association of Textile and Apparel Management. I made some awesome personal connections with my fellow students while exploring my career path.

Lining up at the crack of dawn at Mizzou Arena to get basketball season tickets, watching Comedy Wars every Wednesday at Memorial Union, and studying abroad in London at the London College of Fashion.

What does receiving this award mean to you?

Winning this award means a great deal! It is a recognition of my hard work, dedication, and achievements since graduating. It is an honor to be selected among my peers and is a testament to the impact Mizzou has had on my life and career. Being recognized by the school, which played a significant role in my personal and professional development, is a source of pride and validation. This award is motivation to continue striving for excellence in my career and giving back to my community. It’s a reminder that Mizzou is invested in my success and will always be a part of my story. 

Textile and Apparel Management Industry Advisory Board

Debbie Krivelow, current board president, responding on behalf of the TAM Industry Advisory Board

Through its nearly 40-year history, what are the board’s proudest accomplishments?

As the TAM Industry Advisory Board, we raised over $100,000 to support students’ professional development and growth. As the President of the Board, we are proud of all the personal relationships, building communities, as well as being able to raise the fund for continued support for TAM students.

How has the College of Arts & Science helped board members in their careers and beyond?

There is a true and authentic relationship between the TAM Industry Advisory Board members and the family of students, faculty and staff of Textile and Apparel Management (TAM) in the MU College of Arts & Science. This connection has paved the way for students to receive up-to-date industry knowledge as well as helped our board members to stay in touch with future employees and leaders in fashion and related industries.

What are a few of your fondest memories from your time as the board’s president?

My fondest memories are interacting with MU TAM students; from watching them present their projects to helping them with future class or career choices. Their excitement and passion are contagious. As industry board members, there is nothing more rewarding than being able to help MU TAM students make decisions that bring them closer to their dreams.

What does receiving this award mean to you and/or your fellow board members?

The TAM Industry Advisory Board is extremely honored and humbled by this award. We dedicate our time and resources for the sole purpose of helping MU TAM faculty and students succeed. This award continues to solidify the family atmosphere that we feel.

Jeff Zumsteg, BES '84, MBA '86

What are your proudest personal and professional accomplishments?

Receiving my MBA from Mizzou in 1986, being inducted into the Marching Mizzou Alumni Band Hall of Fame in 2018, and receiving the Tiger Pride Award from the Mizzou Alumni Association in 2019.

The ongoing 15-year renovation/restoration of our home, the 1902 Stevens House and getting it placed on the National Historic Register. We have opened it up for many Mizzou events in Kansas City, as well as auctioned off multiple parties to raise money for KC-area students to attend Mizzou.

I have to say one of the proudest moments of my life was sitting in the bleachers (thanks to A&S) this past Thanksgiving along Central Park West and hearing that familiar sounds of the Mizzou Fight Songs coming down the street. First, seeing the sun hitting the sparkle of the Golden Girls; then seeing the Black and Gold of the spinning flags; and finally, the plumes of the band’s shakos approaching. I honestly couldn't even take pictures…all I could do was stand and cheer and clap along with the band. And yes, I admit I shed a tear or two — from being a proud True Son of Mizzou and a native Missourian, but also from the understanding of what this experience would mean to the 350 members of the 137th edition of the Marching Mizzou Family.

How has the College of Arts and Science/Marching Mizzou helped you in your career and beyond?

Anyone who has marched with The Big M Of the Midwest knows that it is much more than an ensemble. It is a family.

My closest and dearest friends are people I met in Marching Mizzou 40 years ago. We have shared so many happy times at reunions and alumni band, weddings and births, but also sad times with the deaths of parents, family, and marchers that left us way too soon. We still make road-trips together to away football games and bowl games — and also do cruises, float-trips, and vacations. And even those friends I don't get to see very often, it only takes a moment when we are together for us to reconnect.

What are a few of your fondest memories from your time at Mizzou?

The first football game my freshman year was the Penn State game (both teams nationally ranked). Back then, Marching Mizzou entered the field in two long lines from the tunnel in the South end zone. I was one of the pair to enter the field first. The crowd was so loud you couldn't hear whistles, drums — nothing but the roar of the largest crowd ever at Faurot Field. I just remember Scot Frumhoff next to me saying "Let just GO!" and we started the run onto field. That was my official "Welcome to Mizzou Football"!

My first trip ever to Europe was with University Singers on their Great Britain Tour in 1984. So many fond memories with amazing people, seeing incredible sights...and making Glorious Music in historic cathedrals.

Being selected to be a Summer Orientation Leader in 1985 was a huge honor. It was an amazing summer representing Mizzou to hundreds of incoming freshmen and their parents. From walking backwards giving campus tours....to performing in skits for the variety show — such a wonderful experience. And the bond that was created with the 32 SOL's was something I will never forget.

Summers in COMO for summer school were always very special. The town takes on a different feel in the summer when the majority of students are gone. The atmosphere on campus is much more relaxed, classes more intimate — and downtown a much quieter and slower place. Afternoons floating in a pool or heading to the Strip Pits with a small group of friends. But as much as I enjoyed it, I also loved the feeling as fall semester approached and students slowly started arriving and another school year was just around the corner.  

What does receiving this award mean to you?

I am very surprised and humbled to receive this award — especially for an Education and Business School alum. Marching Mizzou under the leadership of Dr. Alexander had a profound influence on my life as I began my college career at Mizzou in the fall of 1980. I learned early on from my parents that a major part of your life should be giving back where you have the most passion...the more you give the more you will receive. I will never be able to give back as much as Marching Mizzou, The School of Music, and The College of Arts & Science has done for me. But I will continue to be strong, vocal — and sometimes a little pushy — whenever I can!