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Henry S. Geyer Award Each year the Mizzou Legislative Network of the Mizzou Alumni Association awards the Henry S. Geyer Award, named for Representative Geyer of St. Louis, the author of the Geyer Act of 1839, which established the University. The award recognizes the work of public officials and citizens who have made a positive impact on higher education and Mizzou. Nominees do not have to be alumni of MU. 2008 Geyer Award Recipients                 Ike Skelton, BA ’53, JD ‘56    For more than 30 years, Congressman Skelton has been a fixture in Washington DC where he has been a capable leader in support of education, health care and our military. Ike represents the fourth congressional district that includes west central Missouri, the state’s capital city and much of the Ozarks.   Skelton, a native of Lexington whose father was a member of the University of  Missouri Board of Curators, is a graduate of Wentworth Military Academy and the University of Missouri, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in 1953 and earned a law degree in 1956. He was named as a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Law Review, and was also active with Sigma Chi and Alpha Phi Omega while at Mizzou. Prior to his election to Congress, Skelton served as Lafayette County Prosecuting Attorney and as a Missouri State Senator from 1971 to 1976.   A leader in the House on defense issues, Skelton is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Skelton's district is home to Fort Leonard Wood, Whiteman Air Force Base, and the Missouri National Guard Training Center. Skelton was instrumental in bringing the Army Engineer School to Fort Leonard Wood and the B-2 Stealth bomber to Whiteman.   He has been a steady supporter of MU throughout his career, playing key roles in fending off a plan to close Mizzou’s ROTC program, and strengthening the Sigma Chi Chapter.  He maintains close friendships with many School of Law colleagues and alumni.  In Washington, he oversees an office always populated with a large number of MU graduates, and he has welcomed many University presidents, chancellors, curators, alumni, students and friends who come to DC.    His black and gold spirit shines amid sometimes difficult challenges. Earlier this year, when the Kansas Congressional Delegation introduced a resolution noting the success of the Kansas Jayhawks in the Orange Bowl, he led the effort to get all members of the Missouri Congressional Delegation to vote “present” – something not easily accomplished on congratulatory legislation.   For his continued support of MU and dedicated service to the citizens of Missouri, the Mizzou Alumni Association is proud to present a 2008 Geyer Award for Public Service to Higher Education to Congressman Ike Skelton.                         Ed Turner, BS ‘62  As a 1962 Mizzou graduate with a degree in Agriculture, Ed has been a lifetime member of the Mizzou Alumni Association since 1986.  As current Chairman of the University Flagship Council, Ed continues to be active in support of MU. In addition to Ed’s role on the Flagship Council he currently serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Fund for Excellence Committee, member of the For All We Call Mizzou Agriculture Major Gifts Committee, Mizzou Legislative Network and the Jefferson Club.   And if you think Ed’s current commitments keep him busy you should know that a passion for Mizzou has been with him his entire life. From a family legacy at MU including his mother, Nellie, a 1933 graduate in HES and Education to Ed’s son Eric, a 1993 Agriculture grad, Mizzou has been a way of life for the Turner family.   In the late 50’s and early 60’s when Ed was defining the start of his Mizzou Legacy – living in the Alpha Gamma Rho house, serving his country in the Navy ROTC unit or stirring up a little mischief with the Ruf Necks - is it possible he knew how much he would go on to serve his alma mater and how grateful the University would be to him 46 years later?   To say Ed’s connection to Mizzou is strong is an understatement. One look at the activities in his alumni record and one can see why so many people know, like and respect him and his wife Lois. If you haven’t gotten to know Ed through a Tourin Tiger trip, Legacy Society or capital campaign function or a alumni association gold medal reunion there’s still time because it doesn’t look like Ed and Lois are slowing down anytime soon.    The Henry S. Geyer Awards for Public Service to Higher Education recognizes the work of honorees that have made significant positive impacts on higher education and on the University of Missouri. As a member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators from 1985 to 1991 to a College of Agriculture Citation of Merit and MAA Alumni Award honoree in the 1990s, Ed typifies the standard of excellence and the depth of passion true sons and daughters to Mizzou can have.   We are delighted this evening to present the Henry S. Geyer Award to Ed Turner.   Past recipients: 2007: Senator Chuck Gross, Senator Charlie Shields and Mr. R. Barnes Whitlock 2006: Representative Bryan Pratt, Representative Brian Yates and Mr. Richard Mendenhall 2005: Senator Chuck Graham and Mr. James C. Sterling 2004: Senator John Russell and Mr. Dudley McCarter 2003: U.S. Congressman Kenny Hulshof and Dr. Hugh Stephenson Jr., M.D. 2002: Representative Ted Farnen and Mr. Harry Cornell 2001: Secretary of State Bekki Cook and Dr. Al Hahn 2000: Representative Emmy McClelland and Dr. Melvin George 1999: Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond and Mr. Everett Brown 1998: Senator Ken Jacob and Mr. Chris Kelly 1997: Representative Steve Gaw and Dr. David Leuthold 1996: Senator Joe Moseley and Dr. Charles McClain 1994: Governor Mel Carnahan and Mr. Fred Hall 1993: Lt. Governor Roger Wilson and Mr. John Phillips 1992: Senator James Mathewson and Mr. Bert Bates *No awards were were presented in 1995