New Alumni Board Leaders

There’s new leadership on the Central Methodist University Alumni Board. Combine that with the fading of the pandemic, and 2022 has been a big year.

New President Julie Parrish, ’05, says the alumni board is poised to appear at many alumni socials and regional events this year, helping alumni stay better connected with their alma mater, regenerate the CMU spirit, and have a great time.

“I encourage alumni to celebrate the future of CMU by hosting their own regional events and by joining us at CMU events,” Parrish said.

Parrish, from Fayette, is passionate about the success of her alma mater and her hometown.

“I plan to play my part in keeping this partnership (between CMU and Fayette) strong,” she said. “It is an exciting time to see everything happening in the downtown area of Fayette, which is due to the outstanding relationship with Central Methodist University.”

Parrish is a vice president at Commercial Trust Company in Fayette.

Her new alumni board vice president, Alexandria Nichting Buckman, ‘12, lives in Fayette and works at Columbia Dentistry for Children. She said she is proud of the Central culture and eager to give her time back to the campus that gave her so much.

The new secretary is Caryn Jeffries, ’13, from Columbia. She looks forward to her role and to recognizing alumni over the decades, and she deeply appreciates Central’s core values.

Also new to the alumni board is Rick Cowart, ’75, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., who spent 28 years working in the Central admissions office. He is currently employed by Northwest Missouri State University.

Julie Biesemeyer Ziegler, ’91, of Caseyville, Ill. has also joined. Ziegler is employed at her husband’s business, the Fairview Heights Animal Clinic, and has a long list of community service and volunteerism.

Rounding out new members is Doug Hansen, ’06, of Wentworth, Mo., who has a law degree from University of North CarolinaChapel Hill and an MBA from UCLA. He is employed by the Air Force training junior JAG attorneys.

Julie Parrish, ’05 Alexandria Nichting Buckman, ‘12

Caryn Jeffries, ’13

Nearly 60 alumni gathered at Waves Cider Company in Columbia, MO on April 28 for an alumni social.

Men’s Soccer Head Coach Alex Nichols and Director of Athletics Jeff Sherman, ’83

Alumni Board Member Kathy Dempsey, ’86, and Trustee Tim Jackman, ’81

Healther Clark, ’97, and Stephanie Jones, ’98 Preston Ary, ’18, and his son

Trustee Tim Jackman, ’81, David Fox, ’83, and Jana Fox, ’82 Kent Van Landuyt, ’68, and Ron Bolm, ’68

More photos from the 2022 Columbia Alumni Social: https://www.flickr.com/ photos/194562910@N02/ albums/72177720298501784