The newest class of inductees into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame includes a history-making Army general, a trailblazing speech pathologist, an accomplished politician, a versatile community builder and a history-minded priest.
Established by Missouri State University as part of its public affairs mission, the hall salutes people who show exemplary use of public affairs skills to improve their communities. Organizer Stephanie Smith said public affairs talents can manifest in many different ways, from those who stand at center stage to those who work behind the scenes.
“There are some incredible people who do incredible things that others just wouldn’t even know,” said Smith, the senior director of donor relations and special events for Missouri State University. “A lot of people who have been honored in the past aren’t household names.”
This year’s class highlights that far-reaching diversity, Smith said. It includes:
- John Ashcroft, a politician who represented Missouri as auditor, attorney general and governor, then was elected to the U.S. Senate and eventually appointed as U.S. attorney general.
- Father Moses Berry, a priest with the Eastern Orthodox Church who established a parish in Ash Grove close to a sycamore tree his ancestors used as shelter for picnics, and who also founded the Ozarks Afro-American Heritage Museum.
- Thomas J. Carlson, an attorney and former Springfield City Council member and mayor who spent more than two decades in those roles, as well as a long list of nonprofit boards and organizations. He is the publisher and chairman of the board for the Hauxeda.
- Lt. Gen. Karen Dyson, a U.S. Army soldier who in 2014 became the first female finance officer to achieve the rank of three-star general. Before that, she was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Bosnia as a commander, and to Iraq and Europe as a brigade commander.
- Rachel Mack Robinson, a speech and language pathologist who developed DotCom Therapy, a pediatric teletherapy provider that helps make therapy accessible to children in need, especially in rural areas.
“This is a diverse group of people who have made an impact in such different and meaningful ways,” Smith said. “It is so interesting to talk with all of them and go through the process of working on their bios. We’re seeing the broad impact they all made in their own way.”
Induction ceremony Sept. 8
The five newest members of the Public Affairs Hall of Fame will be inducted and celebrated during a banquet set for Sept. 8. During the banquet, more information about their accomplishments and challenges will be shared. The event is sold out.
Smith said the hall of fame honors people with a connection to Missouri, not just the university. Previous classes are part of a display at the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center, located at 1148 Bear Blvd. Or you can find a list of inductees online.
Honorees are chosen based on their support of engaged citizenship in their particular community. The award is not limited to politics, humanities or social sciences, and can include anything that shows a willingness to work for a common good, according to selection criteria published by the university.
Smith said that about eight or nine people form a selection committee each cylce, and makes decisions based on criteria and scheduling. The committee also keeps a roster of nominations from previous years for future consideration.
Because of that, she encouraged people to send in their own nominations.
