Trulaske trio: Klumb brothers graduate from college, embracing their individuality and bond

This weekend, twin brothers Adam and Steven Klumb, and their older brother, Alex Klumb, will graduate with degrees from the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business – a trifecta of success for the Moline, Illinois, family.

The Klumb brothers never planned to attend the same university. In fact, the twins visited 14 schools before settling independently on Mizzou, where their older brother was already an undergraduate student. 

MU offered everything the Klumb twins were looking for – a big school experience, a reputable college of business and the opportunity to establish residency in one year. Plus, there was Alex. 

“We really wanted to go to a big school with all the opportunities and fun game days, but it had to be affordable,” Adam said. “Mizzou offered all of that – and Alex was here, too.”

Brothers, but individuals

The Klumb twins were no strangers to Mizzou when they arrived on campus four years ago. They had visited their brother several times while still in high school. They would stay in the residence hall with Alex, eat the dining hall food and stand in the student section during home basketball and football games.

Once they arrived on campus as students, they were ready to dig in. At the Trulaske College of Business, Adam found his calling in the Management Department and Steven found his home in the Finance Department. Nonetheless, the brothers still struggled at times to find their individual identities in the college, especially when it came to student organizations. 

“Other students were often looking to us to set ourselves apart from each other, which was uncomfortable,” Adam said. “We just want people to treat us as our own person, and I know that can be challenging at times.”

Despite some challenges, the brothers excelled and like their older brother Alex – who enrolled in the online Crosby MBA program after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering – were actively involved on campus. Between them, the trio racked up an impressive list of honors, including Omicron Delta Kappa Distinguished 14 Freshmen, Tru20 and 110th Mizzou Homecoming Top 10 Royalty, to name a few. 

The trailblazer

There was never doubt in his mind that Alex would be a Mizzou Tiger. From his first visit to campus, he was hooked. 

“The tour, the campus and the academic programs at Mizzou immediately felt like home, so much so that I planned three more visits before graduating high school, including a Tiger football game against my mom’s alma mater, Purdue,” Alex said. “I became so familiar with the campus that it felt like home, even before it was officially.”

Alex didn’t consider pursing an advanced degree until he was working full-time as a process engineer at Procter & Gamble in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and realized how an MBA would help leverage his chemical engineering degree.  

“I enjoy working in manufacturing but quickly became fascinated by all the systems that must be in place to allow for a manufacturing plant to be successful,” he said. “This led me to pursue an MBA with an emphasis in global supply chain management, where I am growing a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of a company’s overall supply chain.”

Although the demands are great, Alex said the key to balancing a full-time job with the expectations of his online courses has been staying organized. 

He has also appreciated the extensive curriculum Trulaske offers on professional development. 

“The biggest thing I’ve gained is confidence in my current leadership strengths,” he said. “When it comes to being a leader, there isn’t a one-style-fits-all. I’ve learned that I don’t have to mold into someone else to be a strong leader but strengthen the skills I already possess and continue learning from other leaders along the way.”

Opportunities, not obstacles

Despite their academic prowess, Adam and Steven found landing a summer internship after their sophomore year an uphill battle. But what appeared to be a challenge turned out to be an opportunity when Shannon Breske, assistant teaching professor and director of study abroad, suggested the twins use that summer to study abroad in Bergamo, Italy. 

It was a life-changing experience for them.  

“We made some of our closest connections with people during our Trulaske study abroad experience,” Steven said. “It was amazing.”

Adam said he returned from Italy a more confident student. 

“There is this pivotal moment between your sophomore and junior year because you are now in an emphasis area and considered an upperclassman,” he said. “After our study abroad experience, I felt more confident coming into classes and approaching professors and making friendships with brand new students in class. That was really big for me.”

And as it turns out, the internships the brothers eventually secured – one through connections with a Trulaske alumnus – evolved into full-time jobs after graduation. Both begin work this summer – Adam as a rotation development associate at Edward Jones in St. Louis, Missouri, and Steven as senior analyst on the business development team for life insurance at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio.

Adam and Steven credit Breske for being their strongest advocate while at Trulaske. 

“She is the single greatest person in this building as far as helping students navigate the space and college,” Steven said. “She has not only been an advocate and a friend, but at times, she has been a family member.”

Pearls of wisdom

For the Klumb brothers, the Mizzou experience has been a lesson in resilience, perseverance and calculated risks. It’s been about discovering who they are as individuals and appreciating the bond they have as brothers. 

“For me, it’s been about the connections with people because it’s really the people who are going to make your experience special,” Steven said. 

Adam said he has learned to embrace the challenges he encountered. 

“I learned so much about myself and the people around me through those experiences,” he said. “I was lucky to have two brothers here with me who were my support system. I recognize that not every student has that opportunity, and I haven’t taken it for granted.”

For older brother Alex, the chance to watch his brothers excel has been gratifying. 

“What I didn’t realize would happen going to school with my brothers is that they would become more than my friends but truly role models to me,” he said. “My brothers made the absolute most of their college experience, and I am so proud to be their big brother and to have been able to support them throughout their time at Mizzou.”

ALEX KLUMB

Degrees: MBA with emphasis in logistics, materials and supply chain management; bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a minor in mathematics in May 2022

Activities and societies: Omega Chi Epsilon Engineering Honors Society, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Alumni Association Student Board, Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity, Mizzou Alternative Breaks, Welcome Week Leader, MizzouThon, Summer Welcome Leader

Honors: 110th Mizzou Homecoming Top 10 Royalty

Job: Process engineer at Procter & Gamble in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

ADAM KLUMB

Degree: Business administration with an emphasis in management, minor in entrepreneurship and innovation with a certificate in risk management and insurance

Activities: Homecoming Steering Committee, MizzouThon participant, Camp Trulaske Counselor, Trulaske College of Business Ambassador, Mizzou campus tour guide, Sumer Welcome Leader and athletic ambassador. 

Honors: Mizzou ’39, Tru20, Omicron Delta Kappa Distinguished 14 Freshmen, Mortar Board, Leaders’ Board Excellence Award from the Department of Economics, Top 5 student in Department of Management

Job: Rotation development associate at Edward Jones in St. Louis, Missouri

STEVEN KLUMB

Degree: Business administration with an emphasis in finance and banking and certificates in investments and real estate. 

Activities: Alumni Association Student Board, Homecoming Steering Committee, Trulaske Study Abroad Student Manager, Mizzou tour guide, Summer Welcome Leader, Honors College, MizzouThon participant, Chancellor’s Leadership Class, Camp Trulaske Counselor, Trulaske College of Business Ambassador

Honors: 112th Mizzou Homecoming Top 10 Royalty, Omicron Delta Kappa Distinguished 14 Freshmen and Tru20

Job: Senior analyst on the business development team for life insurance at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio