Mizzou '39 honors 'outstanding' seniors
Published Feb. 13, 2007
Psychological sciences assistant professor Anna Bardone-Cone is a busy woman. She doesn't have the time to help just anyone with any project. But when Sara Mijares received the McNair Research Grant and needed an adviser, Bardone-Cone didn't have to think twice.
"She's the kind of person that I'm like, 'yes, absolutely,'" Bardone-Cone said.
Mijares was one of 39 seniors inducted into the third class of Mizzou '39, a program that honors the 39 most "outstanding" seniors in a class of more than 3,000 students. Honored seniors chose a faculty member, who has mentored them in their studies, to accompany them on stage. Bardone-Cone was an easy choice for Mijares.
"She was the one that pretty much got me interested in clinical psychology and then took me under her wing," Mijares said.
Journalism professor Greeley Kyle accompanied both Anna Comstock and Ben Kennedy on stage. He said he doesn't have a hard time understanding why they were honored.
"It's their commitment to the university, and the fact that this is more than just fun and games," he said.
Kyle said when he met the families of Comstock and Kennedy at the ceremony, he got even more of a glimpse into why these students were honored.
"Meeting their families tonight just highlighted for me the integrity, the drive for excellence and the love that characterized these students," he said.
To be selected for Mizzou '39, students must go through an application process.
Wally Pfeffer is one of three judges who chose the 39 students. He said there are many more than 39 students who have been involved enough to make a case for the award. But the application essays narrow the field a great deal.
"That's where you could see the eloquence and passion of the students," he said.
Taylor McKinney was another one of the 39. For her mother Theann, it was no surprise that her daughter achieved such an honor.
"She's exceptional," she said. "She's been exceptional since she was a baby. She always went beyond the call of anything she pursued."
Mizzou Alumni Association Executive Director Todd McCubbin said the reason 39 students are picked for the award is because MU was established in 1839. Although McCubbin said he is not sure if 39 is the perfect number, he said he does feel it serves its purpose.
"We felt like that was a way to distinguish it and make it a real honor," he said.
McCubbin said though MU has more than 20,000 undergraduate students, The Mizzou '39 ceremony shows how one-on-one relationships between faculty members and students are part of the MU experience.
"That's what the college experience is all about," he said. "That's the kind of experience we hope our students have on campus. I think we do some very good things to make sure those relationships are fostered."
Chancellor Brady Deaton's wife Anne Deaton gave a greeting on behalf of her husband. She said the students honored represent more than just the best in their class at MU.
"I know we have lots of problems in this world, but I'm encouraged," she said.