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´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City | |
| 2024 | Philosophy | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City | |
| 2023 | Plant Science and Technology | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia | |
| 2022 |
*No Award Issued* |
||
| 2021 | Glen Cameron | Strategic Communications | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 2020 | Randall Miles | Soil Science | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 2019 | Carol Ward | Pathology & Anatomical Sciences | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 2018 | Education Sciences and Professional Programs | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis | |
| 2017 | Betsy Baker | Literacy Studies | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 2016 | Richard Rosenfeld | Criminology & Criminal Justice | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 2015 | Henry R. Frankel | Philosophy | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 2014 | Larry D. Gragg | History and Political Science | Missouri S&T |
| 2013 | Department of History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia | |
| 2012 | Biological Sciences | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia | |
| 2011 | Educational Psychology, Research & Evaluation | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis | |
| 2009 | David C. Geary | Psychological Sciences | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 2007 | Management | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis | |
| 2005 | Douglas D. Randall | Biochemistry | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 2003 | Max J. Skidmore | Political Science | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 2001 | Steven Hause | History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1999 | Lawrence Christensen | History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Rolla |
| 1998 | Betty Winfield | Journalism | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1997 | Susan Flader | History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1997 | Donald Phares | Economics and Public Policy | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1996 | David A. Leuthold | Political Science | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1995 | Edmund B. Lambeth | Journalism | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1995 | Wayne M. Bledsoe | History and Political Sciences | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Rolla |
| 1994 | Osmund R. Overby | Art History and Archaeology | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1993 | Richard G. Hetherington | Director, Computer Science and Telecommunications Program | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 1992 | Doris Trojcak | Education | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1991 | Charles G. Nauert, Jr. | History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1990 | Joy Eugene Whitener | Dean Emeritus, Evening College and Professor of Education | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1989 | William J. James | Chemistry | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Rolla |
| 1988 | Kenneth J. LaBudde | History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 1987 | Richard A. Watson | Political Science | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1986 | Abraham Eisenstark | Biological Sciences | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1985 | Patricia A. McIlrath | Theatre | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 1985 | Arvarh E. Strickland | History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1984 | Charles H. Chapman | Anthropology and Archaeology | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1984 | Sioma Kagan | International Business | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1984 | Martin Levit | Education and Philosophy | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 1984 | George McPherson | Electrical Engineering | 91´ó»ÆѼ-RollaG-13 |
| 1983 | Harold F. Breimyer | Agricultural Economics | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1982 | Douglas C. Wixson, Jr. | English | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Rolla |
| 1981 | James H. Laue | Sociology | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1980 | Henry E. Bent | Chemistry | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1979 | Noble E. Cunningham, Jr. | PHistory | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1978 | J. Milton Poehlman | Agronomy | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1977 | Hazel Browne Williams | Education | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 1977 | A. Sterl Artley | Education | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1976 | Noel P. Gist | Sociology | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1975 | James Neal Primm | History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1974 | Norman N. Royall, Jr. | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City | |
| 1973 | Ernest Manheim | Sociology | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 1972 | William H. Peden | English | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1971 | Lewis E. Atherton | History | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Columbia |
| 1970 | Carlton F. Scofield | Former Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City | 91´ó»ÆѼ-Kansas City |
| 1969 | James L. Bugg, Jr. | Former Chancellor, University of Missouri-St. Louis | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1968 | John Neihardt | Poet | 91´ó»ÆѼ-St. Louis |
| 1967 | Elmer Ellis | President Emeritus | University of Missouri |
Reviewed 2025-07-31