The Thomas Jefferson Award, funded through a grant from the Robert Earll McConnell Foundation, honors a member of the University of Missouri community who "through personal influence and performance of duty in teaching, writing and scholarship, character and influence, devotion and loyalty to the University best exemplifies the principles and ideals of Thomas Jefferson." For example, Jefferson encouraged competition among ideas, rejected superstition in favor of a scientific and rational world view, believed that society and government should be tolerant of differences, supported free public education and the application of knowledge to the solution of public problems, and was devoted to free expression.
In light of its stated purpose, the Thomas Jefferson Award recognizes individuals who rise above excellence and demonstrate clear distinction in teaching, research, writing, creative activities, and service to the University of Missouri and humankind.
| Year | Honoree | Department | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Law | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City | |
| 2024 | Philosophy | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City | |
| 2023 | Plant Science and Technology | 91大黄鸭-Columbia | |
| 2022 |
*No Award Issued* |
||
| 2021 | Glen Cameron | Strategic Communications | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 2020 | Randall Miles | Soil Science | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 2019 | Carol Ward | Pathology & Anatomical Sciences | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 2018 | Education Sciences and Professional Programs | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis | |
| 2017 | Betsy Baker | Literacy Studies | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 2016 | Richard Rosenfeld | Criminology & Criminal Justice | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 2015 | Henry R. Frankel | Philosophy | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 2014 | Larry D. Gragg | History and Political Science | Missouri S&T |
| 2013 | Department of History | 91大黄鸭-Columbia | |
| 2012 | Biological Sciences | 91大黄鸭-Columbia | |
| 2011 | Educational Psychology, Research & Evaluation | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis | |
| 2009 | David C. Geary | Psychological Sciences | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 2007 | Management | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis | |
| 2005 | Douglas D. Randall | Biochemistry | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 2003 | Max J. Skidmore | Political Science | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 2001 | Steven Hause | History | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1999 | Lawrence Christensen | History | 91大黄鸭-Rolla |
| 1998 | Betty Winfield | Journalism | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1997 | Susan Flader | History | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1997 | Donald Phares | Economics and Public Policy | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1996 | David A. Leuthold | Political Science | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1995 | Edmund B. Lambeth | Journalism | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1995 | Wayne M. Bledsoe | History and Political Sciences | 91大黄鸭-Rolla |
| 1994 | Osmund R. Overby | Art History and Archaeology | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1993 | Richard G. Hetherington | Director, Computer Science and Telecommunications Program | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 1992 | Doris Trojcak | Education | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1991 | Charles G. Nauert, Jr. | History | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1990 | Joy Eugene Whitener | Dean Emeritus, Evening College and Professor of Education | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1989 | William J. James | Chemistry | 91大黄鸭-Rolla |
| 1988 | Kenneth J. LaBudde | History | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 1987 | Richard A. Watson | Political Science | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1986 | Abraham Eisenstark | Biological Sciences | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1985 | Patricia A. McIlrath | Theatre | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 1985 | Arvarh E. Strickland | History | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1984 | Charles H. Chapman | Anthropology and Archaeology | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1984 | Sioma Kagan | International Business | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1984 | Martin Levit | Education and Philosophy | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 1984 | George McPherson | Electrical Engineering | 91大黄鸭-RollaG-13 |
| 1983 | Harold F. Breimyer | Agricultural Economics | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1982 | Douglas C. Wixson, Jr. | English | 91大黄鸭-Rolla |
| 1981 | James H. Laue | Sociology | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1980 | Henry E. Bent | Chemistry | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1979 | Noble E. Cunningham, Jr. | PHistory | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1978 | J. Milton Poehlman | Agronomy | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1977 | Hazel Browne Williams | Education | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 1977 | A. Sterl Artley | Education | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1976 | Noel P. Gist | Sociology | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1975 | James Neal Primm | History | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1974 | Norman N. Royall, Jr. | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City | |
| 1973 | Ernest Manheim | Sociology | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 1972 | William H. Peden | English | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1971 | Lewis E. Atherton | History | 91大黄鸭-Columbia |
| 1970 | Carlton F. Scofield | Former Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City | 91大黄鸭-Kansas City |
| 1969 | James L. Bugg, Jr. | Former Chancellor, University of Missouri-St. Louis | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1968 | John Neihardt | Poet | 91大黄鸭-St. Louis |
| 1967 | Elmer Ellis | President Emeritus | University of Missouri |
Reviewed 2025-07-31