Members Receive Faculty Alumni Awards
The Mizzou Alumni Association proudly honors distinguished alumni and friends of the university each year at Faculty Alumni Awards. Two of this year’s recipients are members of the Griffiths Leadership Society - Sabra Tull Meyer, BA ‘49, MA ‘79, MFA ‘82, Columbia, and Melodie A. Powell, BA ‘77, JD ‘81, Kansas City.
Recipients were honored at a reception on Friday, Oct. 2, followed by a banquet that evening in Reynolds Alumni Center.
Meyer is a talented artist who has created bronze sculptures for more than 30 years. Her work is on display at important sites in Missouri including the state capitol. She created the Lewis & Clark Monument in the Capitol Complex in Jefferson City; a bust of Bob Barker, one of eight, for the Hall of Famous Missourians; and the 56-foot-long sculptural mural for the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts in Columbia. In addition to numerous public locations, many of her bronze sculptures are held in private collections and include human figures, small to heroic in scale, wildlife, portrait busts and memorial plaques.
Meyer and her husband, James, live in Columbia and is involved with the National Museum of Women in the Arts, National Scultpure Society, Columbia Art League and State Historical Society of MIssouri.
With over 20 years of litigation experience, Powell is Of Counsel in the Kansas City office of Evans & Dixon, L.L.C. where she limits her practice to the defense of workers’ compensation claims. Her experience includes expertise in the education, insurance and government sectors. Prior to joining Evans & Dixon, Powell was in private practice in Kansas City and also served as an assistant attorney general in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
Powell is active in her community as well as with her alma mater. In 2005, she was appointed chair of the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners. Powell has held numerous leadership positions at Mizzou and was honored in 2007 with the Mizzou Alumni Pride Award. Powell served as president of the Mizzou Alumni Association in 1999-2000 and was a founding member and co-chair of the Griffiths Leadership Society for Women. She is a member of the Chancellor’s Strategic Planning & Resource Advisory Council and board member of the Kansas City Alumni Chapter.
Powell and her husband, Jerry Short, make their home in Kansas City although they’re frequently in Columbia volunteering for Mizzou or attending Tiger athletic events.
Congratulations, Sabra and Melodie!