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Eight Trulaske students named Mizzou '39 awardees
By Elleyna Rudman
Mizzou ‘39
This prestigious award, presented by the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board, recognizes 39 remarkable seniors every year. Recipients demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership and service in and around the Mizzou community. We asked some Trulaske students who received this honor a few questions about themselves and their time on campus.
BRADY BOOTH
Dubuque, IA
Marketing, Economics
Mentor: Kate Elmore
What would you tell your freshman self?: Be confident in who you are and what you have to offer the world! Don’t be afraid to take up space and speak your mind.
What is your favorite Mizzou tradition?: Tiger Walk! I think it is such a fun and unique tradition, and I can’t wait to complete the second half of it this May!
What is the most interesting class you’ve taken at Trulaske?: The most interesting class I have taken in Trulaske was Marketing 4000 with Professor Brady Hodges. This class really solidified my love for marketing and having such a knowledgeable and fun professor teach it made it all the better.
Do you have any hidden talents?: My hidden talent is that I can cry on command!
What are your plans after graduation?: After graduation, I will be working at Anheuser-Busch as a Commercial Trainee! I’m so excited to bring everything I have learned at Mizzou to Anheuser-Busch!
CATHERINE CORLEY
Leawood, KS
Accounting
Mentor: Charlie Koors
What would you tell your freshman self?: Stay involved. Yes, you are so busy and running around like crazy. But you will meet some of your best friends and get to be part of some of the coolest experiences if you get involved.
What do you think makes Mizzou special?: I think what makes Mizzou so special is our evolving traditions. We hold our traditions near and dear but also work to make sure they are applicable to current times and reach all parts of campus.
What is the most interesting class you’ve taken at Trulaske?: ACCTCY 4353 (Introduction to Taxation). I know this class might sound boring, but it truly opened my eyes to the real world. It taught me so much that will stay with me for the rest of my life. It also taught me that I could be interested in tax accounting for a career.
Who do you look up to and why?: I look up to my sister, Grace Corley. Grace is three years older than me, but with her wisdom, there are times I think she is 20 years older than me. Grace is intentional with her time with others and puts everything into her friendships. We only shared one year at Mizzou together, but I wish we could’ve had many more.
What are your plans after graduation?: I will graduate in December 2023 with my Master of Accountancy, and then I plan to sit for my CPA!
TOBIAS DAVIS
Chicago, IL
Accounting
Mentor: LeAnn Stroupe
What is your favorite Mizzou tradition?: Throughout my time here on campus, I have done many cool traditions. My favorite, by far, has been the NPHC homecoming step show. It’s always been a highlight of my Mizzou homecoming experience and has made me feel super connected to campus and the people here!
What do you think makes Mizzou special?: The people here at Mizzou are the reason we thrive. The friendships I’ve made over these past four years are some that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I thank Mizzou for giving me the opportunity to meet some of my best friends.
Who do you look up to and why?: One of the people I look up to the most is LeAnn Stroupe. She has been an amazing mentor, boss and educator over my career at Mizzou. She’s helped me make decisions, both big and small, and has always been one of my biggest supporters.
Do you have any hidden talents?: One of my biggest talents is my ability to tell a story. Given any random set of facts or ideas, I can form a pretty funny story. I can also solve a Rubik’s cube.
What are your plans after graduation?: Post Grad, I will sit for the CPA exam and then begin working in public accounting.
MATT HEMMERSMEIER
Defiance, MO
Accounting
Mentor: Kari Gingrich
What would you tell your freshman self?: Embrace discomfort. College puts you in many uncomfortable environments, and I wish I had figured out sooner how to take certain situations and make the most of them. Be intentional about introducing yourself to the person sitting next to you in class, go to your professor's office hours, even if it's just to make small talk, and ask that person you'd like to know more out for coffee! These are such small things that could feel awkward in the moment but lead to such special connections that I've been super fortunate to experience. So definitely lean into discomfort - you never know where it could lead you!
What do you think makes Mizzou special?: The sacred traditions and the true community atmosphere. Mizzou truly feels like home, and the traditions help build connections and relationships with tigers, both young and old. Also, Mizzou is a big campus, but I seldom walk to class without seeing a lot of familiar faces. It truly is a community and there is something for everyone to belong in, so take advantage of all that Mizzou has to offer!
What is the most interesting class you’ve taken at Trulaske?: Accounting Policies and Impacts class taught by Professor Kari Gingrich. It was truly a course that challenged my inherent line of thinking but also allowed me to critically analyze accounting legislation to assess its impacts on the profession and society. One of my favorite things about accounting, and taxation in particular, is that it is always changing. So, it is vital for accountants to keep up with the policies affecting our clients and the profession as a whole. This class helped me build the skills to evaluate policy and determine its consequences.
Do you have any hidden talents?: I wouldn't necessarily call this a hidden talent, but it is pretty unusual for an accounting student - I love to write! I've always been the odd person in my accounting courses who genuinely enjoys the few times we get assigned papers. A lot of my peers like accounting because there isn't a ton of writing, but I've always found writing to be such a cool way to reflect your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge.
What are your plans after graduation?: Throughout my accounting education and internships, I've come to appreciate the intricacies and challenges of tax law and policy. As such, after graduation, I will be furthering my education in this area by heading to law school this fall at Washington University in St. Louis. While there, I plan to get my JD and LLM in Taxation and eventually practice as a tax attorney.
KACI MILLER
St. Louis, MO
Business Management
Mentor: Lindsay Hing
What would you tell your freshman self?: Get involved with the organizations you are truly passionate about. I found myself in too many organizations and felt stretched too thin. When you are truly passionate about an organization and its mission, it results in great work, commitment, and accomplishments.
What is your favorite Mizzou tradition?: Homecoming because it is a time the entire community comes together to celebrate Mizzou and truly show our tiger spirit. The sense of community that comes from this event is unmatched by any other tradition.
What is the most interesting class you’ve taken at Trulaske?: The most interesting class I’ve taken at Mizzou was Business Law. I really enjoyed the material of the course as a pre-law student in the business school. I also was able to form a mentorship with my Professor Sherry Mariea, who has helped me with my legal goals to this day!
Do you have any hidden talents?: I like to bake! My favorite things to bake are German Apple Cake and Tres Leche Cake. I also enjoy making smaller items like Oreo balls or chocolate-covered strawberries.
What are your plans after graduation?: After graduation, I plan to attend law school, but I am still deciding which school I will attend. Upon graduation from law school, I would one day like to open my own law firm. This is why I majored in business for my undergraduate degree!
GREG PIERSON
St. Louis, MO
Business, Political Science
Mentor: Dr. Mary Beth Marrs
What would you tell your freshman self?: Take risks, and don’t be afraid to get outside your comfort zone. Growth comes when you challenge yourself.
What do you think makes Mizzou special?: I think something that makes Mizzou special is that so many people feel an obligation to give back. I am reminded of our core value, Responsibility, which asks each individual on our campus to leave it a better place than they found it.
What is the most interesting class you’ve taken at Trulaske?: Management 4185, Problems in Management, taught by Dr. Mary Beth Marrs.
Who do you look up to and why?: The people I admire most are my parents. They’ve instilled in me independence and a work ethic that has taken me very far. I am grateful for the support they've provided me during my time at Mizzou.
What are your plans after graduation?: After Graduation, I'll be moving back to St. Louis to join Deloitte's Government & Public Services Consulting Practice.
KEELEY VAN ANTWERP
St. Louis, MO
Accounting
Mentor: Dr. Mary Beth Marrs
What would you tell your freshman self?: Take the time to find your “why.” Find your passion and foster it because you will produce better outputs and will enjoy your time more while working on projects you genuinely enjoy.
What do you think makes Mizzou special?: The small school feel on a big campus. The Mizzou community truly is so interconnected, and the network of individuals you surround yourself with will remind you why you chose to attend this university.
What is the most interesting class you’ve taken at Trulaske?: The Allen Angel Capital Education Program class with W.D. Allen. AACE is a cross-disciplinary course where we function as a real-life venture capital firm and participate in live venture deals.
Who do you look up to and why?: I look up to Dr. Mary Beth Marrs because she is the perfect example of servant leadership. She reminds each of her students of the importance of leading with humility. Mary Beth’s devotion to the Mizzou community is an inspiration for the legacy I want to leave.
What are your plans after graduation?: I will be returning to Mizzou in the fall to complete my Master of Accountancy and will graduate in December. This upcoming summer, I will be interning at Lincoln International in Chicago as an investment banking summer analyst.