Rod Cooper grew up in Fairfield, Iowa. After graduating from Fairfield High School, he pursued higher education at Northeast Missouri State University (Truman), where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing in 1988. In 2006 Rod earned his MBA from Lindenwood University.
Following a successful career in business, holding titles such as President/Owner, Entrepreneur, Managing Director, Board Chairman, VP of Sales and VP of Operations, Rod retired in 2015 at the age of 49. Upon retirement, he dedicates his time to expanding his and his wife Kathy’s real estate portfolio, as well as traveling and assisting others in achieving their own life aspirations.
Professionally and as a volunteer, Rod consistently concentrated on consulting with organizations on new client development, public awareness, revenue growth and strategic management. He actively utilized his expertise as a board member for various business and charitable organizations, including the ALS St. Louis Chapter, YMCA St. Louis Metro, YMCA Trout Lodge Camp Lakewood, Christmas in St. Louis Parade, St. Louis Association for Corporate Growth and Phi Lambda Chi Alumni Association.
Post-graduation, Rod’s involvement with Truman was primarily through his fraternity, Phi Lambda Chi. That focus changed when he met Renee Wachter, the then-Dean of the Business School, while speaking at a Truman Beta Alpha Psi meeting in 2007. She asked Rod to help introduce her to leaders in the St. Louis business community and prominent alumni. That relationship has continued with two more Business School Deans; Debra Kerby and Rashmi Prasad. In 2008, the School of Business honored Rod as Alumnus of the Year. The following year he was invited to co-teach a course on Business Strategy and Leadership (S-09) to impart his business experiences. In 2009, the John R. Kirk Society recognized Rod and Kathy Cooper for their Truman involvement. Over the years these connections have resulted in numerous meetings with Truman alumni, business leaders, prospective students and alumni cottage networking events. The past two years, Rod has organized with the help of other Truman alumni, “The Growing Connections” event held in St. Louis. This event has attracted 100 of Truman’s top alumni influencers from the St. Louis area each year and connected them to a variety of members of Truman’s administration.
The Truman connection has also been significant in Rod’s personal life. Rod and his wife, Kathy (Reading) Cooper (’88), have been married for 36 years, having met as juniors while at Northeast Missouri State University. The Truman tradition continued in their family, with their daughters, Courtney (’15) and Chaney (’18), both choosing and graduating from Truman.
Natalie Gerhart (’07)
Natalie Gerhart graduated from Truman State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and Marketing. Following undergrad, she hiked the Appalachian Trail (southbound) from Maine to Georgia. Since, she has earned an MBA from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a focus in Marketing Analytics, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in Information Systems.
As an alum, she has stayed connected with the University in a variety of ways. From the beginning, she has maintained engagement with Bullets Rugby as an alum, which lead to her helping to establish The Bullets Rugby Alumni Scholarship. Over time engagement grew to regional connections with the Mid-MO Alumni Chapter, Dallas Alumni Chapter and the Omaha Alumni Club. Throughout much of her involvement with the Alumni Association, she served as a member of the National Alumni Board.
She currently resides in Omaha and enjoys time with family, her dog and any activity outside. Truman is the luckiest choice she ever made.
About the Award
Alumni, faculty, staff, families, and friends of the University directly impact the future of Truman State University through outstanding volunteer and philanthropic service. Our Distinguished Service Award is one of the ways the University recognizes their generous commitment to Truman and its students.
Recipients
2023: Marianna Giovannini (’64, ’67)
2023: Bertha Thomas
2022: Amanda Gioia (’93)
2022: Floyd Simpson III (’02)
2021: Donna (Tague) Bailey (’76, ’84)
2021: Dennis Hohn (’67, ’73)
2021: Dr. Fontaine Piper (’70, ’78)
2019: Keith Epperson (’82)
2018: Vid Vidyasagara (’92)
2018: Doug Villhard (’94)
2017: Sharon (Hogan) Husmann (’83)
2017: John Thompson Jr. (’92)
2016: Angela “Ann” Leone Patterson (’72, ’73)
2016: Colleen Ritchie (’84)
2015: Gail B. Crump (’64)
2014: Cynthia M. Spiker (’93)
2013: Jeffrey Romine (’74) & Marilyn (Casteel) Romine (’78)
2013: Mike Schwend (’83, ’90) & Mary Jo (Fitzpatrick) Schwend (’81, ’83)
2012: Jim Bergman (’90)
2011: Jim Cherrington (’85)
2010: Jeannette (Toth) Harris (’71, ’78)
2010: David Nichols & Debra (Fortenberry) Nichols (’80, ’01)
2009: Kathy Rieck (’73, ’76, ’81)
2008: Ron Gaber (’82) & Elsie (Kins) Gaber (’87)
2008: G. Ruth (Black) Mach
2008: Wilma (Rayfield) Maddox (’79)
2007: Tom Ballard (’69)
2007: Major General John V. Cox (’52)
2006: Geraldine (Toth) Ready (’70)
2006: Dwyane Smith (’84, ’91)
2006: Chuck Woods (’86)
2005: Bill Cable & Dianthe (Truitt) Cable (’60, ’77)
2005: Kevin Kuebler (’90) & Bonnie (Neuner) Kuebler (’87)
2004: Steven Barger (’67)
2004: Doris (Pickens) Bohon (’43)
2004: Victor Childers (’55)
2004: John Lundgren (’64, ’65)
2003: Maria Evans (’81)
2003: Larry Lunsford (’81,’83)
2003: Steve Rose (’69)
2003: Mary (Rhodes) Russell (’80)
2002: Kay (Dewey) Baird (’62)
2002: Steve Justice (’70, ’81)