About
Mission
Missouri 100 members advise and assist the president in promoting the critical role of the University of Missouri System in our state’s future and its reputation around the world. Its dedicated members are strong advocates for public policies and programs that promote the university’s goals of excellence in teaching, world-class research, service to all our citizens, and stimulation of an entrepreneurial economy.
Membership
The, Missouri 100, founded in 2007, is composed of proven leaders from many walks of life who believe that the key to future prosperity and quality of life for Missouri’s people rests in a strong university with roots in the land-grant tradition. They share the conviction that we must actively support our state’s only public research university if Missouri is to be competitive in the world’s new information-based economy. To that end, the members have agreed to contribute their time and energy in support of the most pressing priorities of the University of Missouri System, its four campuses, University of Missouri Health Care and Extension.
Organization
- Outstanding Missourians are invited by the President to participate in the activities of The Missouri 100.
- Members of The Missouri 100 include leaders from throughout the state. They include, but are not limited to, prominent alumni representing the four campuses of the University and leaders in such critical fields as health care, agriculture, technology, law, business, communications and public service.
- Members speak with one voice as they advocate for the University as a whole.
- Each member makes or raises a minimum tax-deductible, charitable contribution of $1,000. These funds shall be used to support activities of The Missouri 100, consistent with the missions and goals of the University of Missouri.
- The President meets and confers with members of The Missouri 100 during travels around the state. In addition, the President hosts an annual meeting of the membership.
- Leadership shall be provided by the President and Missouri 100 co-chairs appointed by the President from the statewide membership.
Leadership
Harry Cornell Jr. is former chairman of Leggett and Platt Inc., a world leader in a variety of component manufacturing, which grew under his leadership from a small company with $7 million in annual sales to a Fortune 500 corporation with more than $4.1 billion in annual sales.
Cornell is a member of the Strategic Development Board for the MU Trulaske College of Business where he was one of the founders in conceptualizing the new building, which was later named Cornell Hall and dedicated in 2002. He also has received several honors from the University of Missouri, including the MU Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, the Geyer Public Service Award and an honorary doctorate of laws degree.
Dudley McCarter is a partner with Behr, McCarter and Potter P.C. in St. Louis, Mo., where he focuses on the area of civil litigation. He is an active supporter for the University of Missouri, serving as a member of the MU Alumni Alliance Association, Tiger Club, Legislative Information Network Committee and MU Chancellor’s Society. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.
McCarter is the recipient of the Faculty-Alumni Award from the Mizzou Alumni Association, the Citation of Merit from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, Distinguished Service Award from the St. Louis County Bar Association, the Lou Czech Award for Service to Missouri Municipalities Award from the Missouri Municipal Attorney’s Association and the recipient of several awards for the best article in the Journal of the Missouri Bar Association.
Richard Miller is chief executive officer of Miller’s Professional Imaging/Mpix, the largest professional photo lab organization in the United States with locations in Columbia, Mo., and Pittsburg, Kan. His company was named Photofinisher of the Year in 1994.
Miller received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from MU. He is currently serving on the MU Capital Campaign Steering Committee, MU Flagship Council, Arts and Science Strategic Development Board, as well as several committees at Pittsburgh State University. In 2004, he received a Doctorate of Humane Letters honorary degree from MU, and in 2004 he received the MU Distinguished Alumni Award.
Karen L. Pletz J.D. is president and chief executive officer of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and one of Kansas City's most active civic leaders. She is a leader in national and community health care and was appointed in 2001 to co-chair the Governor’s Business Education Roundtable for the state of Missouri, leading the state in formulating strategies to address critical issues in public education. Past chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber and currently chair of the Kansas City Area Development Council, Pletz is chair-elect of the Civic Council of Kansas City.
Named one of Kansas City’s 20 Most Influential Women, Pletz has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Kansas City Spirit Award, the University of Missouri College of Education Alumni Achievement Award, the University of Missouri Alumni Faculty Award, Kansas City’s Woman of the Year Award and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Athena Award. She is a graduate of Rutgers University Stonier Graduate School of Banking where she received the Harvard Business Library Thesis Award, and a graduate of Harvard Medical School’s Harvard/Macy Program for leaders in medical education. She received her bachelor’s degree in education cum laude and a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
