Over its 100 years of existence, Missouri State has developed a rich heritage of outstanding faculty and staff who have contributed much to the success of our University. The Wall of Fame, which is located outside the ballroom in the Plaster Student Union (3rd floor), is a designated location for the University to recognize and honor employees who have excelled at Missouri State and significantly contributed to the success and positive collegiate experience of students. While Missouri State has had many outstanding employees during its long history, the intention of the Wall of Fame is to recognize those faculty and staff members whose impact on students is considered truly noteworthy. Two esteemed faculty of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences were among the 2009 Wall of Fame inductees.
Great leadership through times of unprecedented growth characterizes John Schatz’s tenure at Missouri State University. Schatz served as a faculty member in the agriculture department for 37 years, developing curriculum, advising and challenging students, contributing to many campus events, conducting research and participating in the development of the William H. Darr Agricultural Center and the National Association of College Teachers of Agriculture. From 1968–80, Schatz headed the department and his imprint can still be seen in the department and on the students he helped – many who have become successful in the horticulture industry.
Milton Rafferty leads by example. During his 24 years as department head of geography, geology and planning at Missouri State University, he served on committees, conducted research, published articles and books, and conducted business in an open door manner – all the things he expected out of his faculty members. He united a department that housed experts in a wide spectrum of subjects and elevated it from only two undergraduate programs to five with an interdisciplinary graduate program. With a total of 30 years at Missouri State, Rafferty became an expert on the Ozarks region and published the quintessential book on the area, Ozarks Land and Life, in 1980. He continues to travel and speak at conferences around the country.
Additional 2009 inductees include Linda Dollar, instructor, volleyball coach and assistant athletic director; Wensey Marsh, former career placement director; Dr. Genevieve (Genny) Cramer, professor emeritus of the graduate reading program; and Ralph Williams, former dean of the College of Business Administration.