2023 President’s Leadership Awards

Steve (’70, ’81) and Katherine Justice

Steve and Katherine Justice have provided decades of generous financial support for Truman athletics. They also established the Steve and Katherine Justice Athletic Scholarship to support student-athletes at Truman who have demonstrated financial need. Steve served as a member of the Truman Alumni Board of Directors from 1997 to 2000, was appointed as alumni ambassador in 2001 and was recognized as Alumni of the Year in 2015

Katherine and Steve Justice

Dr. Debra K. Kerby (’77, ’78)

Dr. Debra Kerby dedicated much of her life to Truman. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University. After pursuing an additional master’s degree and Ph.D. at other institutions, she returned to join the faculty in 1982. She spent the following 38 years at Truman, eventually serving as Dean of the School of Business, a position she held at the time of her passing in 2020. She created the Kerby Family Business Excellence Fund, and the gift was fortified with a generous gift through her estate.

Debra Kerby

About the President’s Leadership Award

The most prestigious award bestowed by the University, the President’s Leadership Award honors Truman’s most ardent supporters who show an exceptional commitment to the University through gifts of volunteerism, expertise, and financial resources. The awards are presented at the annual Truman State University Foundation Banquet held on campus each spring.


Recipients of the President’s Leadership Award

  • 2022:
    Maj. Gen. John V. Cox (’52) and Mrs. Patricia (McMichael) Cox
  • 2021:
    No award given
  • 2020:
    Betty Jo White, DO (’59)
  • 2019:
    Sharron (Bailey) Quisenberry (’66) and the late Larry Quisenberry
  • 2018:
    Mike McClaskey (’85) and Janet (Yearns) McClaskey (’84)
  • 2017:
    Grace Hortense Greenley (’40, ’56)
    Geraldine (Toth) Ready (’70)
  • 2016:
    John Bartling (’63)
  • 2015:
    John and Jackie Settlage
    Charles Holman
  • 2014:
    Randa Rawlins (’79)
    Odessa Ofstad
  • 2013:
    Calvin Roebuck (’57)
  • 2012:
    Linda Miller (’70)
  • 2011:
    Chuck Woods (’86) & Sherri (Pierce) Woods
  • 2010:
    Darrell Krueger & Nancy Krueger
    Stanley Bohon & Doris (Pickens) Bohon (’43)
  • 2009:
    Linden Lyle Ingraham (awarded posthumously)
    Dean Rosebery (’41) & Amy (Ayres) Rosebery (’43)
  • 2008:
    Chuck Foudree (’66)
  • 2007:
    Dwain Horn (’50)
  • 2006:
    Steve Rose (’69)
  • 2005:
    Charles McClain
  • 2004:
    Donald Scriven (’50, ’59) & Jolene Davidson Scriven (’54, ’59)
  • 2003:
    Alvina Britz
    L.L. Via (’48)
  • 2002:
    Marie Laughlin
    Rex Miskimins (’68) & Bette Miskimins (’68)
    Lydle W. Staggs (’41)
  • 2001:
    Walker Allen (’39) & Doris Allen
  • 2000:
    M. Frances Fuller (’35)
    Mary Jane Kohlenberg (’56)
    Mary Evelyn Thurman (’46)
  • 1999:
    Josephine Cox Jansons (’39)
  • 1998:
    Marian Morelock (’31)
    C. Ethel Schwengel (’32)
    Ruth Warner Towne (’39)