Student Success Stories

Tom Meier '91
Tom came to Central from St. Charles, Mo. He was active in student government while at Central and played varsity soccer for the Eagles. As a senior Tom was elected president of the Student Government Association. Upon graduation he entered law school at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., which then ranked as the number two law school in the United States. He currently practices corporate law in Chicago, Ill.

Julie Biesemeyer '91
While an undergraduate Julie completed internships with a member of the Missouri House of Representatives and a member of the United States Congress. She also clerked for a Judge of the Associate Circuit Court. After graduation she served as a legislative aide for United States Senator John Danforth (R-MO) and Congresswoman Jane Harmon (D-CA). Julie current works for Big Brothers and Sisters of Western Ill. 

Tim Kerns '91
Tim came to Central from St. Charles, Mo. as a varsity soccer recruit. As well as interscholastic sports, Tim excelled in the study of political science and became active in student government and Greek life on campus. As a senior Tim was elected vice president of the Student Government Association. After graduation Tim went on to law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He is now serving as a judge in Weld County, Colo. where he is a partner in the firm of Coleman, Liu, Lyons and Collins.

Greg Young '95
Greg Young came to Central from Florissant, Mo. Greg was active in student government while at Central and during his senior year he served as president of the Student Government Association. As an undergraduate in political science Greg completed an internship in the office of the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, spent a summer clerking for a Justice of the United States District Court and completed a second, summer internship as a legislative intern for one of Missouri’s United States senators. After graduation Greg earned a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and worked for several years as a political consultant. He now practices law in Columbia, Mo.

Jennifer Anthony '97
Jennifer came to Central from Sikeston, Mo. Jennifer was active in student government and Pi Gamma Mu, the Social Science Honor Society. She completed an internship with a member of the Missouri General Assembly and spent a summer in Washington interning in the office of Congressman Bill Emerson (R-MO). After graduation Jennifer was selected for The Leadership Academy in Washington, DC and became active in political campaign work. She became an analyst and producer with America’s Voice.

Mark H. Jones '00
Mark came to Central to pursue his interest in debate and preparation for law school. An active member of Pi Gamma Mu and the Pre-Law Club, Mark found his calling in practical politics. Mark gained experience working on several political campaigns as an intern during his undergraduate career and found that he enjoyed the high-pressure world of campaign management. By the time he completed his studies in political science in 2000 Mark was already working full-time as a campaign coordinator for the Missouri Democratic party, where he went on to become Coordinator of the Missouri Senate Campaign Committee.

Kristin E. Gore '01
Kristin came to Central from Bartlesville, Okla. to study political science and pursue her interest in public speaking and debate. In her time at Central Kristen was active in Pi Gamma Mu, Student Government and the pre-law club. Kristen ultimately graduated with a double major in communication studies and political science in 2001. As a senior she won the General Lewis M. Means Award for Excellence in the study of Political Science. In the fall 2001 Kristen entered law school at the University of Missouri-Columbia and earned her J.D. in 2004. After a brief tenure in private practice in Jefferson City, Kristen is now serving as an Assistant Attorney General for Missouri.

Dan Farris '03
Dan came to Central from Bunceton, Mo. As an undergraduate Dan was active in student government, serving in a cabinet post during his senior year, and in CMU’s pre-law program, where he served as the undergraduate fellow also during his senior year. Torn between attending graduate school in political science or law school Dan took a year off to work after graduation in May 2003. In the fall of 2004 he began law school in Lansing, Mich.

Nina Garrett '03
Nina came to Central from St. Louis, Mo. in the fall of 2000 already on her way to law school and determined to complete her BA in political science and business in just three years. Despite taking very heavy course loads throughout her six semesters at Central Nina was active in the pre-law program and Pi Gamma Mu, the national honor society for the social sciences. Nina did graduate after just six semesters. During her final year she was courted by a number of fine law schools, including Creighton and Drake. In the Fall of 2003 Nina entered the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich. After receiving her law degree Nina accepted a position with a law firm in the St. Louis area.

Oz Qureshi '03
Oz came to Central from Sedalia, Mo. Oz was recruited to Central as a soccer player and participated in varsity soccer during most of his undergraduate career. Interested in politics, Oz became active in student government and was elected president of student government during his junior year. After graduation Oz entered the masters program in political science at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

Laura Hilton '03
Laura came to Central from Raymore, Mo. While at Central Laura was active in student government and during her senior year she served as president of the Student Government Association. She was editor of the Collegian, CMU’s campus newspaper and served as president of Pi Gamma Mu, the national honor society for the social sciences. After graduation Laura worked for a year as a paralegal researcher with a large Kansas City law firm. In 2004 she began seminary at St. Paul’s Theological Seminary in Kansas City. She is now a member of the United Methodist clergy.

Amber Davis Pokora '04
Amber came to Central from Palmyra, Mo. While at Central Amber was active in student government and Pi Gamma Mu, the social science honor society. As a senior Amber served as vice president of Pi Gamma Mu and secretary of the Student Government Association. After receiving her BA magna cum laude in May 2004 Amber entered law school at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She received her J.D. degree in May 2007 and now practices law in Hannibal, Mo.

Carey Stapleton '04
Carey transferred to Central from the University of Missouri-Columbia at the end of his first year in order to take advantage of Central’s smaller classes and more writing intensive curriculum. Carey was active in Pi Gamma Mu, the social science honor society, and served as chapter president during his senior year. Carey is now attending graduate school at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned his MA in political science in May 2006 and is now employed as a research analyst with a Kansas City marketing firm.

Angela Umstattd '05
Angela came to Central from the Jefferson City area with an interest in public service. As a political science major, Angela was active in Pi Gamma Mu, honor society for the social sciences, and served as its vice president during her senior year. Angela was the co-recipient of the 2005 General Lewis M. Means award for excellence in the study of political science and earned her degree Cum Laude, with honors in political science. Angela is now employed as an administrator with the University of Missouri-Columbia and pursuing a masters degree in human resources administration.

Melia Young '06
Melia came to Central from Moberly, Mo. Melia came to Central to study criminal justice, but decided to double major in CJ and political science. She worked for the division of social sciences as a tutor and research assistant for two years. She was active in Pi Gamma Mu and was elected to be CMU chapter president during her senior year. She was a leader in her social sorority, Zeta Psi Lambda, and served as president of that organization during her senior year. Melia received her BS degree cum laude in May 2006. In fall 2006 she began work toward the Masters degree in political science at Kansas State University where she was awarded a teaching assistantship, which included a full-tuition waiver. Upon completion of the masters degree she entered KSU’s doctoral program in national security studies.

Megan Kramer '08
Megan came to Central in the Fall of 2004 from LeGrange, Mo. to prepare for a career in public service and possibly for an eventual entry into law school. Megan distinguished herself both in the class room and in her work in several of Central’s student organizations. She was active in Pi Gamma Mu, social science honor society and served as an officer in that organization. She was active in CMU’s Student Government Organization throughout her undergraduate career and was elected vice president of SGA during her senior year. Megan received the 2008 General Lewis M. Means award for excellence in the study of political science. During the spring of her senior year Megan accepted a post-graduation position in local government administration near her home in Lewis County.

Anna Compton CMU '08
Anna came to Central from Harrisonville, Mo. to study history, but her interest in things political convinced her to pursue a double major in history and political science. An outstanding student, Anna received the 2007 General Lewis M. Means Award for excellence in the study of political science and took her degree with honors in 2008. Anna was active in many student organizations and served as president of Pi Gamma Mu, the social science honor society. During her final semester of study Anna accepted a position with the office of the Missouri Secretary of State. She plans a career in state government and politics, and is considering the possibility of pursuing graduate work in either history or political science.

Christopher Janssen '09
Chris came to Central for Beaufort, Mo. He was recruited by both the University’s honors program and Eagles varsity football program. Chris became a starting tight end on the Varsity Eagles football team. He was also active in the social science honor society, Pi Gamma Mu, and the social fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon. As a senior he served as an officer in Pi Gamma Mu and as chapter president of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He was also active in student government and served in the SGA cabinet. Chris earned his degree with honors in political science, and his many academic accomplishments earned him the 2009 Judge Andrew J. Higgins Award for Excellence in Pre-Law Studies. In the fall of 2009, Chris began work on the masters of public administration degree at the University of Texas – El Paso.

Wendy Dickey '09
Wendy was recruited to Central by the University’s honors program, but she also comes from a family with a long and distinguished connection to the Central community. During her four years on campus Wendy was active in the social science honor society, Pi Gamma Mu. She was also a leader in her social sorority, Alpha Gamma Psi, and served as president of that organization during her senior year. Wendy received the 2009 General Lewis M. Means Award for Excellence in the Study of Political Science, and was awarded her degree with honors in political science. She graduated with a  master of political science degree from Kansas State University in 2011.

Niclaus Dykman '10
Nic came to Central from Springfield Catholic High School as highly recruited basketball player who was interested in studying political science. Throughout his undergraduate career Nic won accolades on the court and in the classroom. He was admitted to Pi Gamma Mu, the social science honor society and as a senior he won General Lewis M. Means Award for excellence in the study of political science. From early in his career at Central, Nic’s long term interests were in sports agency and the study of public law. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Nic was admitted to graduate school at Drury University, where he accepted the much coveted post of Graduate Assistant for the men’s basketball program.

Robert Humphrey '11
Rob came to Central from St. Charles, Mo. on a soccer scholarship. During his four years as a member of the CMU varsity soccer squad, Rob also excelled in the study of political science, earning membership in Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society for the social sciences and serving as a research assistant for political science faculty. As a senior Rob won the General Lewis M. Means Award for Excellence in the Study of Political Science. Upon graduation Rob accepted a position as a financial analyst and planner with the Edward Jones Company.

Taylor White CMU '11
Taylor came to Central from East Prairie, Mo. on a baseball scholarship. He excelled both on the field and in the classroom, earning membership in Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society for the social sciences and Sigma Epsilon Pi, Central Methodist’s general honor society for the top ten percent of graduating seniors. A political science major, he is the only two-time winner of the Pi Gamma Mu Academic Excellence Award, and served as president of the Kappa Chapter during his senior year. As a senior he also received the Judge Andrew J. Higgins Award for Excellence in Pre-Law Studies. Taylor elected to pursue his law degree at the University of Arkansas–Fayetteville.

Patrick McVey '11
Patrick transferred to Central as a junior from West Point. Already a stand-out soccer player, Pat played a critical role as a starter on the CMU varsity squad throughout his two years in Fayette. Patrick also earned accolades in the classroom, earning membership in Pi Gamma Mu, the international social science society. As a senior Patrick was selected for the General Lewis M. Means Award for Excellence in the Study of Political Science. Patrick was selected for admission to law school at Oklahoma City University, where he is pursuing his interest in labor law.

Eldar F. Rizvanov '12
Eldar came to CMU from Sterlitamak, Russia, via Uzbekistan and Vienna, Mo. His exemplary academic efforts at Central earned him many and varied recognitions during his four year undergraduate career, including admission into Pi Gamma Mu, the international social science honor society, and the General Lewis M. Means Award for Excellence in the Study of Political Science. He received his bachelor’s degree with honors in political science. During his undergraduate days Eldar worked as a student employee for CMU’s Office of Admissions, and played trombone in the Eagles Marching and Concert Bands. He also served as a research assistant for Dr. John Carter, working with the professor on a research monograph that will be published as a book during 2013. In fall 2013 Eldar will begin graduate studies in political science at the University of Missouri, where he has been selected for a graduate research assistantship, and a full waiver.

Cameron M. Yates '13
Cameron came to CMU from Hallsville, Mo. with interests in criminal justice and the study of law. He was active in theatrical productions, and took a leading role in Chi Delta social fraternity. Settling on a double major in CJ and political science, Cameron worked hard to prepare himself for the study of the law, earning his degree magna cum laude, earning membership in Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society for the social sciences, and Sigma Epsilon Pi, Central Methodist’s general honor society for the top ten percent of graduating seniors, and receiving the Judge Andrew Jackson Higgins Award for Excellence in pre-law studies. Cameron received a full scholarship to Indiana University Law School, beginning fall 2013.

Tyler Winn '13
Tyler Winn came to Central Methodist University from St. Louis, Mo., by way of the University of Missouri. Tyler was active in Greek Life, student government, The Collegian, and Pi Gamma Mu, the national social science honor society, as well as being a member of the University’s varsity golf team. Notable among his many accomplishments was his selection Student Government to direct CMU’s 2012 Homecoming festivities, and his selection as the 2013 co-recipient of the Judge Andrew Jackson Higgins Award for excellence in pre-law studies. Tyler was accepted as a member of the fall 2013 entering class at Saint Louis University Law School.

Tyler Bishop Perera '13
Tyler came to Central Methodist University from Pilot Grove, Mo., by way of Bunceton High School. Tyler excelled in research and writing throughout his undergraduate career. He worked as a student assistant for Smiley Library on the CMU campus and as a research assistant for Dr. John Carter in the University’s political science department. Tyler was active in campus Greek Life, as a member of Chi Delta social fraternity and Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society for the social sciences. Tyler was accepted to the Master of Arts program in Political Science at Kansas State University for the fall 2013 semester.