The Standing Ovation Award recognizes an MSA faculty member or RA who exemplifies the highest ideals of the Missouri Scholars Academy.
The 2025 recipient of the Standing Ovation Award is Morgan McGurk!
Every year, MSA recognizes an MSA faculty member or RA who exemplifies the highest ideals of the Missouri Scholars Academy with the Standing Ovation Award.
From her dedication to building strong community bonds within the Academy and encouraging students to be the truest version of themselves, this year’s award winner is Morgan McGurk (MSA’19, RA’23-‘25). Morgan was recognized at this summer’s closing ceremony.
Her unwavering dedication to the Academy is something that every person at MSA can see, and we are so grateful for all of her hard work these past few years.
As a scholar in 2019 from Lee’s Summit, Morgan McGurk had low expectations for how MSA would impact her life, only seeing the program as an opportunity to build upon her resume. However, once she moved into Mark Twain Hall and started her classes, she realized just how magical and transformative MSA truly was.
“I was introduced to a culture that encouraged learning for the sake of learning and challenged us to be interested, not interesting.” said McGurk at the 2025 MSA Closing Ceremony. “At MSA, I became a more authentic, passionate, and curious version of myself, and I still carry these traits with me today.”
Last June, Morgan completed her third and final year as an RA. Since 2023, she has worked to create the strong sense of community and “magic” that she experienced in 2019 for new groups of scholars.
Grace Sullentrup, one of the 2025 Coordinators of Residential Life, described how Morgan creates this sense of belonging, saying, “When Morgan was around, you were bound to find a group of scholars engaged in lively conversation—whether discussing their favorite recent reads, the day’s Cor activity, or the best pop album of the year. Morgan has a remarkable talent for meeting scholars where they are and helping them find the space to authentically be themselves at the Missouri Scholars Academy.”
One of the qualities that made Morgan a great RA, according to Sullentrup, is her ability to build rapport within the RA community and use those relationships to create a positive, caring, and lighthearted atmosphere for the scholars.
During her speech, Morgan discussed how being an RA has changed her perspective on the Academy, saying, “My experience as an RA has made me love and appreciate MSA more than I ever thought I could. MSA feels magical as a scholar, and it’s largely because of the hard work that RAs, faculty, and staff put in behind the scenes. To be able to contribute to this magic for three years has been incredibly rewarding.”
Some of her favorite memories as an RA come from the little moments, such as conversations with scholars in her Cor classes, singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” at the street dance, and the many jokes and laughter from her house meetings. All of these experiences and more help contribute to the positive and accepting community within MSA.
Morgan finished her 2025 closing speech by defining the heart of what we aim to create at MSA. “I hope you remember how it feels to be a part of something like this. To be surrounded by people who see you, challenge you, and care about you not for what you achieve, but simply for who you are. This is the spirit of MSA.”
While her time as an RA has come to a close, she is excited to contribute to the Academy in new ways in the future. Beyond her work with MSA, Morgan graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science in May of 2025. She currently works as a Social Emotional Interventionist at an elementary school in Kansas City.
We look forward to seeing her grow in this new chapter of her life. Thank you and good luck, Morgan!
Recipients of these awards include:
| Paula Mather | MSA ‘15, Office Staff ’19, ‘22-‘24 (Awarded 2024) |
| Elana Sanders-Braxton | MSA’17, RA’23-‘24 (Awarded 2024) |
| Ben Batzer | MSA ’08, Faculty ’17-’24 (Awarded 2023) |
| Jenny Blank | Coordinator of Residential Life (Awarded 2022) |
| Adela Caratti | Dining Hall Staff (Awarded 2019) |
| Rachel Harper | Co-Director, ’18-’24 (Awarded 2019) |
| Dani Eschweiler | MSA ’11, RA ’18, Faculty ’19, ’22 (Awarded 2019) |
| Chris Holmes | Faculty ’13-’18, ’21-’24 (Awarded 2018) |
| Steve Keller | Director ’15-’24 (Awarded 2017) |
| Craig Buschkoette | RA ’14-’17 (Awarded 2017) |
| Jordan Henson | MSA ’10, RA ’13-’15, Faculty ’16-’23 (Awarded 2016) |
| McKenzi Pendergrass | MSA ’10, RA ’13-’16 (Awarded 2016) |
| KelLeigh Bryant | MSA ’12, Office Staff ’14-’19 (Awarded 2015) |
| Mike Lumetta | MSA ’09, RA ’12, ’15 (Awarded 2015) |
| Majorie Perkins | MSA ’10, RA ’14-’17, Faculty ’18 (Awarded 2015) |
| Doug Valentine | Faculty ’12-’23, Co-Director ’22-’24, Coord. PSD ’23 (Awarded 2015) |
| Tina Casagrand | MSA ’06, RA ’12-’13, Coord. Comm. Service ’14, Faculty ’15-’18, ’22-’23 (Awarded 2014) |
| Kyna Iman | Lobbyist, 2000-2022 (Awarded 2014) |
| Abigail Keel | MSA ’09, RA ’12-’14, Faculty ’15 (Awarded 2014) |
| Kelsey Klostermeyer | MSA ’05, Med. Staff ’12-’14 (Awarded 2014) |
| David Knieter | Faculty ’12-’14, ’16 (Awarded 2014) |
| Stephen Riesenberg | MSA ’06, RA and Accompanist ’10- ’11, ’13-’14 (Awarded 2014) |
| Frankie Bruning Synovec | MSA ’05, RA ’11, ’13, Coord. Res Life ’14-’19, Res Life Liaison ’22 (Awarded 2013) |
| Brady Deaton | MU Chancellor, 2004-2013 (Awarded 2013) |
| Alex Dzurick | MSA ’06, Office Staff ’12 (Awarded 2013) |
| Kyle Lovercamp | MSA ’96, Faculty ’11-’16 (Awarded 2013) |
| Sam Rayburn | MSA ’05; RA ’11-’13; Prog. Coord. & DVD ’14-’16, Faculty ’23 (Awarded 2013) |
| Kurt Schaeffer | Missouri State Senator, 2002-2016 (Awarded 2013) |
| Steve Senger | MSA ’98, Faculty ’11-’14, ’19 (Awarded 2013) |
| Jesse Garwood | RA ’09, ’11-’12; Med Staff ’14-’15 (Awarded 2012) |
| Charles Hang | MSA ’07 (Awarded 2012) |
| Adithi Vellore | MSA ’07; RA ’10-’12 (Awarded 2012) |
| Angela AuBuchon | MSA ’98, Faculty ’09-’12, ’16-’17, Coord. Comm. Service ’11 (Awarded 2011) |
| Robert Bartman | DESE Commissioner of Education, 1987-2001 (Awarded 2011) |
| Ronnie Bass | MSA ’03; RA ’09-’11 (Awarded 2011) |
| Mike Kersulov | Faculty ’09-’24 (Awarded 2011) |
| Ryan Wylie | Faculty ’09-’13 (Awarded 2011) |
| Christina Andrade | MSA ’04; RA ’08-’10 (Awarded 2010) |
| Kayla Bronder | MSA ’03; RA ’07-’08; Coor. Community Service ’09; Faculty ’10 (Awarded 2010) |
| Kyle Buschkoetter | MSA ’09; RA ’13, ’15 (Awarded 2010) |
| Jennifer Richards Fisher | MSA ’04; RA ’08-’09; Senior RA ’10; Faculty and Coord. Comm. Service ’11; Staff Asst ’12; Asst. Coord. Res Life ’13; Faculty ’16-’19, ’24 (Awarded 2010) |
| Barry Still | RA ’08-’09; Senior RA ’10; Faculty ’11, ’14-’15 (Awarded 2010) |
| Vince Foley | Lead Technology Assistant, ’05-’06, ’08-’11 (Awarded 2009) |
| Greg Holliday | Psychologist ’03-’18; ’22-’24 (Awarded 2009) |
| Steve Ikpe | MSA ’99; Medical Staff ’07-’09 (Awarded 2009) |
| Nicholas Jain | MSA ’06; RA ’09, ’11-’12; Faculty ’15 (Awarded 2009) |
| Meredith Johnson | MSA ’05; Office Staff ’07-’11 (Awarded 2009) |
| Jennifer Sanders | RA ’08-’09; Coord. Res Life ’10-’14; MU Res Life Liaison ’13-’15 (Awarded 2009) |
| David Weber | MSA ’06; RA ’10-’11 (Awarded 2009) |
| Kate Blankemeyer Votaw | MSA ’03; RA ’07-’09; Faculty ’13 (Awarded 2008) |
| R.J. Koscienlniak | RA ’06-’08 (Awarded 2008) |
| Kyndal Marshall Riffie | MSA ’03; Office Staff ’06-’10; Media Producer ’08-’10; Webmaster ’11- ’14 (Awarded 2008) |
| Justin Arft | MSA ’94; Faculty ’05-’13 (Awarded 2007) |
| Rose Briccetti | MSA ’01; RA ’05-’07 (Awarded 2007) |
| Sarah Jenkins | MSA ’00; RA ’05-’07; Coord. Comm. Service ’08 (Awarded 2007) |
| Bill Palmer | Faculty ’02, ’06-’10 (Awarded 2007) |
| Brian Stuhlman | MSA ’93; Teacher Apprentice ’00; Part Time Faculty ’01; Faculty ’02, ’07- ’24 (Awarded 2007) |
| Laura Baty Kauffman | MSA ’98; RA ’02; med staff, science, and Comm. Service ’04, ’06-’07; Faculty ’13 (Awarded 2006) |
| Marcia Chatelain | Faculty ’03-’07 (Awarded 2006) |
| Jeffrey Gall | Faculty ’94-’96; Coord PSD ’97 (Awarded 2006) |
| Dan Glover | Graphic Designer and Publications Consultant, ’00-’06 (Awarded 2006) |
| Mollie Hosmer-Dillard | MSA ’99; RA ’04-’05; Part Time Faculty and Coord. Comm. Service ’06 |
| Partick Jackson | MSA Disc Jockey, ’00-’06 (Awarded 2006) |
| Chris Joplin | RA ’98-’99; Med Staff and Science Assistant, ’00 (Awarded 2006) |
| Magda Mello | Dining Hall Staff ’99-’11 (Awarded 2006) |
| Michael Rozier | MSA ’97; RA ’01-’02; Senior RA ’03; Faculty ’08 (Awarded 2006) |
| Amy Smith | Dining Hall Staff ’97-’13 (Awarded 2006) |
| Ian Willie | MSA ’05 (Awarded 2006) |
| Silas Allard | MSA ’98; RA ’02-’03, ’05; Coor. Res Life ’06 (Awarded 2005) |
| Tom Bander | MSA ’96; RA ’99-’00; Development Staff ’04-’05 (Awarded 2005) |
| Adam Campbell | MSA ’93; RA ’03; Senior RA ’04-’05; Faculty ’07, ’09, ’11, ’18; Lead Volunteer ’14 (Awarded 2005) |
| Shannon Ferguson | MSA ’98; RA ’02-’04; Senior RA ’05; Coord. Res Life ’06-’09 (Awarded 2005) |
| Suzette Heiman | Faculty ’96-’09 (Awarded 2005) |
| Ericca Thornhill | MSA ’90; Faculty ’02-’04, ’07, ’12, ’22; Spec. Asst. ’06 (Awarded 2005) |
| Chris Young | MSA ’00; Tech Staff, Office Staff, & Photographer ’02-’08; Program and Media Coord. ’06-’09; Faculty ’09 (Awarded 2005) |
| Daivd Buck | Faculty ’01-’05; Coord. PSD ’06- ’07 (Awarded 2004) |
| Ted Carnahan | MSA ’99 (Awarded 2004) |
| Margaret Hagenhoff | DESE Administrative Assistant ’01- ’10 (Awarded 2004) |
| Antwaun Smith | MSA ’91; Comm. Service Staff ’99; Faculty ’03-’04, ’07 (Awarded 2004) |
| Travis Thornhill | MSA ’90; Comp. Staff ’02-’04; Exec. Sec’y MSAAA ’04-’16 (Awarded 2004) |
| Kate Virostko | MSA ’92; RA ’00-’01; Co-Coord. Res Life ’02; Coord. Res Life ’04-’05 (Awarded 2003) |
| Lucy Chang | MSA ’03 (Awarded 2003) |
| Sara Copeland | MSA ’93, RA ’00-’01 (Awarded 2003) |
| Leslie Eager | MSA ’97; RA ’01-’02; Senior RA ’03- ’04; Fac ’05 (Awarded 2003) |
| Kenyon Railey | RA ’01-’02; Medical Staff ’03 (Awarded 2003) |
| David Welch | Co-Director ’93-’09 (Awarded 2003) |
| Ila Guthrie | Dining Hall Staff ’85-’02 (Awarded 2002) |
| Nicholas Kirschman | Faculty ’99-’06, ’09-’22 (Awarded 2002) |
| Ryan Moore | MSA ’91; RA ’95-’97; Asst. Faculty and Program Staff ’00-’01; Faculty ’02-’03 (Awarded 2002) |
| Eric Rogers | MSA ’90; RA ’94-’97 (Awarded 2002) |
| Kevin Wolf | RA ’86; Senior RA ’87-’89 (Awarded 2002) |
| Jerry Wright | Quick Copy Service ’95-’02 (Awarded 2002) |
| Alex Campbell | MSA ’93; Office Staff ’96; RA ’97, ’99; Medical and Science Assistant ’01 (Awarded 2001) |
| Nancy Fischer | Faculty ’99-’09 (Awarded 2001) |
| Steve Ornes | MSA ’90; RA ’95, ’97-’98; Faculty and Program Staff ’01; Faculty ’02- ’05 (Awarded 2001) |
| Tyler Perrachionne | MSA ’01 (Awarded 2001) |
| Jenelle Beavers | MSA ’95; RA ’98-’99; Senior RA ’00; Coord. Res Life ’01, Assoc. Director ’17 (Awarded 2000) |
| Hoa Ngo | RA ’97-’99; Senior RA ’00; Coord. Res Life ’01; Asst. Instructor ’03-’04 (Awarded 2000) |
| Mike Todd | MSA ’94; Office Staff ’98-’00; Faculty ’04 (Awarded 2000) |
| Rick Vogt | MSA ’88; RA ’92, ’94-’95; Coord. of Technology ’98-’01; Faculty ’03, ’05, ’08 (Awarded 2000) |
| Sarah Moore | MSA ’90 (Awarded 2000) |
| Pat Garrett | RA ’95; Faculty ’96-’02 (Awarded 1999) |
| Frances Logan | Dining Hall Staff ’85-’99 (Awarded 1999) |
| Mike O’Brian | Faculty ’93-’00 (Awarded 1999) |
| Robin Wenneker | MSA ’85; Office Staff ’88 (Awarded 1999) |
| Jeannie Bealer Harding | MSA ’86 (Awarded 1998) |
| Jim Meyer | MSA ’90; RA ’94-96, ’98; Program Coord. ’97, ’99-’00; Exec. Sec’y MSAAA ’99-’01; Faculty ’01-’11, ’14- ’15; Coord. PSD ’08-’16 (Awarded 1998) |
| Joan Potthast | Faculty ’96-’11 (Awarded 1998) |
| Don Arni | Faculty ’87-’88, ’90-’09 (Awarded 1997) |
| Leasa Kowalski | MSA ’96 (Awarded 1997) |
| Karl Qualls | MSA ’87; RA ’91-’92; Program Coord. ’93-’94, ’96, ’98; Faculty ’99- ’00 (Awarded 1997) |
| Nancy Singer | Faculty and Yearbook ’90-’93; ’95- ’00 (Awarded 1997) |
| Frank Corley | Faculty ’92-’98, ’07-’24; Coord. PSD ’00-’05 (Awarded 1996) |
| Dan Massey | MSA ’89; Office Staff ’93; Computer Specialist ’94-’96; Chief Technology Specialist ’96 (Awarded 1996) |
| Kristin Moore | MSA ’88 (Awarded 1996) |
| Tom Byrnes | Faculty ’92-’95 (Awarded 1995) |
| Paulina Pranschke | MSA ’91 (Awarded 1995) |
| Chad Prewett | MSA ’89; RA ’93-’96; Faculty ’01- ’02; Exec. Sec’y MSAAA ’02-’03; Coord. Res Life ’03 (Awarded 1995) |
| Anna Rybolt | Quick Copy Service, ’85-’94; Deceased ’96 (Awarded 1995) |
| Manuel Tatayon | MSA Lead Security Officer ’85-’88 and ’90-’97 (Awarded 1995) |
| Jack Dykes | Res Life Custodial Services ’85- ’94; Deceased (Awarded 1994) |
| Jason Fletcher | MSA ’91; Office Staff ’94-’95 (Awarded 1994) |
| Stuart Shaw | RA ’89; Asst. Instructor ’90 (Awarded 1994) |
| Allena Volskay | MSA ’91 (Awarded 1994) |
| Kim Fischer Redinger | MSA ’87 (Awarded 1993) |
| Roger Richardson | Faculty ’90-’07; Deceased ’12 (Awarded 1993) |
| Andy White | MSA ’87; RA ’91; Senior RA ’92-’93; Faculty ’04-’05 (Awarded 1993) |
| Karen Davis | Faculty ’87-’90, ’92-’93 and ’95-’99 (Awarded 1992) |
| Toby Gilks | MSA ’85 (Awarded 1992) |
| Heather Kirkpatricks | MSA ’85; RA ’89-’97; Asst. Coord., Res Life & PSD ’98-’99 (Awarded 1992) |
| Tonya Lanes | MSA ’85; RA ’89-’92 (Awarded 1992) |
| Betty Prathers | Dining Hall Manager ’86-’94 (Awarded 1992) |
| Ake Takahashis | Faculty ’88-’22; Taiso Master forever (Awarded 1992) |
| Monica Cawveys | MSA ’87; Office Staff ’90-’91; RA ’92- ’94; Asst. Instructor ’97; Faculty ’98- ’00; Lead Development Officer ’06 (Awarded 1991) |
| Keith Elmore | Coord. PSD ’85, ’87, ’89-’96, ’98-’99 (Awarded 1991) |
| Bill Nelson | Faculty ’85-’86 (Awarded 1991) |
| Bill Northrip | Faculty ’86-’87, ’89-’91; Deceased ’99 (Awarded 1991) |
| Carla Schlink | Administrative Associate ’87-’09 (Awarded 1991) |
| Bryan Watson | MSA ’87; Office Staff ’90-’91; RA ’92- ’93; Senior RA ’94; Law Workshop ’96 (Awarded 1991) |
| Patty Wells | Sr. Secretary ’87-’94 (Awarded 1991) |
| Bill Young | Faculty ’88-’89 (Awarded 1991) |
| Tina Crayton | RA ’88-’89; Senior RA ’90-’96; ’98; Asst. Coord., Journalism ’99; Coord. Residential Life ’00 (Awarded 1990) |
| Vicki Crayton | Faculty ’88-’95, ’97-’98 (Awarded 1990) |
| Angela Wilson | MSA ’88 (Awarded 1990) |
| Julia Alsobrook | RA ’85; Hall Coord. ’86; Coord., Residential life ’87-’99; Asst. Journalism and Community Service ’00; Faculty ’04 (Awarded 1985) |
| Doug Anthony | RA ’85-’88, ’90; Asst. Instructor ’92; Program Coord. ’95 (Awarded 1985) |
| Mike Bancroft | Faculty ’85-’91 (Awarded 1985) |
| Ed Grooms | Faculty ’85-’86, ’88-’09 (Awarded 1985) |
| Bill Heyde | Faculty ’85-’99, ’01-’06 (Awarded 1985) |
| Lou Jobst | Faculty ’85-’15 (Awarded 1985) |
| Kim Moody | RA ’87; Program Coord. ’88-’92 (Awarded 1985) |
| Paul Rahmoeller | Faculty ’85-’15; Special Staff ’16-17; Coord. PSD ’18-’22 (Awarded 1985) |
| Bob Roach | Co-Director ’85-’92; Deceased ’11 (Awarded 1985) |
| Dexter Schraer | Faculty ’85; Program Staff ’86-’87; Coord. PSD ’88; Coord., Special and Alumni Events ’89-’99 (Awarded 1985) |
| Ted Tarkow | Co-Director ’85-’14 (Awarded 1985) |