Trulaske College of Business celebrates spring graduates, honorary degree recipient Ed Rapp

The Trulaske College of Business celebrated its most recent graduates at its spring 2023 commencement ceremony. Held on the evening of May 12, in Mizzou Arena, the ceremony provided more than 800 undergraduate business students with an opportunity to be recognized for their academic achievements.

Students receiving master’s and doctoral degrees from the college were recognized during MU Graduate School ceremonies in Mizzou Arena earlier that day.

During the ceremony, the University of Missouri presented Trulaske alumnus Ed Rapp, BS BA ’79, with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in recognition of his distinguished career with Caterpillar, Inc., and his commitment to philanthropy.

Ed Rapp addressing the graduating class at the Trulaske College of Business commencement ceremony

Rapp retired in 2016 as Caterpillar Group President. During his extensive career with the company, he led Resource Industries and Construction Industries and served as its chief financial officer, living and working in the United States, Africa, Europe and Asia.

Following a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2015, he founded Stay Strong vs. ALS, which invests in institutions focused on finding a cure and improving assistive technologies for ALS patients. He also serves on the executive committee of ALS Finding a Cure and is the advisory board chair of Answer ALS.

Rapp is a committed supporter of the Trulaske College of Business, including service as a member of the Trulaske Dean’s Advisory Board.

In addition, the ceremony featured student speaker Jordan Walters. Each year, the college gives graduating seniors the opportunity to speak at the commencement ceremony. Students apply for this privilege and the Trulaske Student Council interviews the applicants, selecting just one honoree for each ceremony.

Jordan Walters addressing the graduating class at the Trulaske College of Business commencement ceremony

This spring, Walters, a BS BA graduate with an emphasis in marketing, addressed her classmates. During her time at Mizzou, she served as a resident advisor for Mizzou Residential Life and as a student manager for Trulaske Abroad, and was active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Alumni Association Student Board.

Congratulations to Trulaske’s newest alumni!