Presidential Awards to be Bestowed at Foundation Celebration

This year’s Foundation Celebration will take place at 5 p.m. April 5 in the Student Union Building.

This event recognizes the tremendous impact of the University Foundation and will include student speakers, performers, a special recognition of 50 years of the Gen. John J. Pershing Scholarship and celebration of new members to Truman’s giving societies.

Two presidential awards will also be bestowed. The Distinguished Corporation Award will be given to Mastercard, and the President’s Leadership Award will be presented to the honorable Ann Covington.

A philanthropic partner for Truman, Mastercard encourages employees to engage with their community while building a purpose-driven workforce. In addition to the company’s variety of community engagement opportunities across the globe, employees in the U.S. have 40 hours/5 days each year for volunteering. Some Truman alumni at Mastercard have dedicated these hours to supporting student recruitment, school support and engagement, on-campus and remote speaking opportunities to classes and clubs as well as serving as mentors and judges for the annual Bulldog B.I.T.E. innovation pitch competition and serving on the various boards that support the University. Alumni working at Mastercard have also served as Bentele-Mallinckrodt scholars and as speakers on the topics of business and cybersecurity in the annual Tru-Biz Business Forums.

Along with her late husband, Charles J. McClain, President Emeritus of Truman, Covington has generously given her time, talent and treasure to the University. She is a member of all of Truman’s most prestigious giving societies: the John R. Kirk Society, the Joseph Baldwin Society and the President’s Circle. She also continues to support the Charles J. McClain Foundation Scholarship and the Gen. John J. Pershing Scholarship. Recognized by the American Bar Association as one of the Women Trailblazers in the Law, Covington was the first woman to serve on the Missouri Court of Appeals, the first woman appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court and the first woman to be named chief justice.

Those who wish to attend the Foundation Celebration may RSVP here. There is a registration fee of $15 per person.