Davenport Society holds its annual dinner and induction ceremony

The Herbert J. Davenport Society dinner and induction ceremony for the Trulaske College of Business was held in conjunction with the university’s 113th Homecoming on October 18 at the Country Club of Missouri. 

The special focus of this year’s dinner was the college’s new strategy, Vision 2030, which is built on the three pillars of transformative technologies, experience-centered learning and fostering an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset. Attendees also celebrated the importance of philanthropy and the essential role it plays in driving innovation and leaving a lasting mark on students and programs. 

“By investing in our community, these contributions create transformative learning experiences that equip our graduates to excel in the ever-evolving world of business,” said J. Andrew Miller, B.S.B.A. '78, 2024 chair of the Davenport Society. 

In his update of the college, Rajagopalan said contribution this past year are up threefold over 2023, with a remarkable total of $9, 549,233 raised so far. He also shared news about the college’s new strategy. 

“By embracing the latest advancements in technology, tackling real-world challenges head-on and cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship, our graduates won’t just be prepared for the future – they will be the one defining it,” Rajagopalan said. 

Formed to encourage private participation in the support and development of the college, the society hosted the ceremony to recognize those who joined over the past year. Society members contribute to the college’s success and sustain the vision for excellence of Herbert J. Davenport, the college’s first dean.

This year’s honored guests included members of the Trulaske family, Pavel Bosovik, B.S.B.A. ’18, founder and CEO of 27North, and his wife, Nina Bosovik, and Ed Clark, president of Becker Professional Education, a global leader in accounting exam preparation and professional education. Trulaske recently collaborated with Becker to create the Becker Academy. This new series of courses is designed to bridge key knowledge gaps in accounting and provide a strong foundation for individuals preparing for the CPA exam. 

This year, the society welcomed the following new members:

• Patti Baymiller, B.J. ’78, M.B.A. ’84, retired principal/business system consultant with American Management Systems, Denver, Colorado.
• John Bechtold, B.A. ’94, owner/president at Spirit of ’76, Columbia, Missouri, and Vitalija Bechtold, special events coordinator at Spirit of ’76, Columbia, Missouri. 
• J. Phillip Bender, B.S. ’86, founder and president, Sea Captain Coach, Sarasota, Florida.
• Bob Feldman, B.S.B.A. ’01, and Beth Feldman B.S.B.A. ’02, owners of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Bradley Illinois, Mokena, Illinois and Orland Park, Illinois. 
• Chris Garlich, B.S.B.A., ’78, retired professional athlete, and Annie Garlich, Key Largo, Florida.
• Derek Kessen, B.S.B.A. ’05, managing partner, Heron, Chicago, Illinois.
• Richard Kochanek, Ph.D. Acc. ’72, emeritus professor of accounting, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. 
• Marcus Long, B.S.B.A. ’07, founder, A Long Legacy Capital, Leawood, Kansas, and Amy Long, B.S.B.A. ’08, creator, The Daily Hostess, Leawood, Kansas.
• Lance Moll, B.S.B.A. ’92, president and CEP, FedEx Freight, Memphis, Tennessee, and Nancy Moll, Memphis Tennessee. 
• Brad Montgomery, B.S.B.A. ’91, senior vice president, State Farm, Bloomington, Illinois.
• William Plummer, B.S.B.A. ’68, M.B.A. ’70, retired from FirstBank Holding Company, Lakewood, Colorado.
• Gregg Seibert, B.S.B.A. ’86. M.B.A. ’87, co-founder/COO of Essential Property Realty Trust, Overland Park, Kansas, and Angie Seibert, Overland Park, Kansas.
• Chadwick Sneed, B.S.B.A. ’06, owner, Sneed Ford & Brain Group, Kansas City, Missouri, and Kallie Sneed, senior pharmaceutical sales specialist, Astra Zaneca, Kansas City, Missouri. 
• Bert Winemiller, B.A. ’64. M.A. ’65, CEO/CIO, AEW Holdings, Scottsdale, Arizona. 

This year’s Advancing Members include:

Dean’s Distinguished Ambassador

• Mellodie Wilson

Dean’s Distinguished Patron

• Ed and Ann Rapp
• Paul and Lynn Ann Vogel

Distinguished Patron

• Stuart and Phyllis Bascomb
• Bill and Christy Linnenbringer
• Peg Slusher

Patron

• Ron Bloom and Judy Lyon
• John and Allison Brase

Benefactor

• Robert and Ellen Duckworth
• Andrew and Jacqueline Gingrich
• Michael and Kelli Hickenbotham
• Ralph Hill
• Mark and Rhonda Sweeney, 

During the ceremony, student hosts greeted guests and introduced new members. They included Anthony Alcabasa, Wyatt Daly, Grace Demetrician, Izzi Donelson, Kylie Groh, Thad Harman, Aisling Kerr, Hayden Klein, Kyle Klostermann, Clara Mayfield, Kayla Modacure, Jayme Opdahl, Emily Ricketts, Brady Schroff, Delainey Seibert, Audrey Snider, Hunter Swift and Lily Wendel. 

Chuck Hutchins, B.S. Acc. ’84, will serve as the incoming president of the Davenport Society while John Bechtold has agreed to serve as the incoming vice president. 

For the second consecutive year, guests were dazzled by a custom fireworks show provided by the Bechtolds and Spirit of ’76 Fireworks.