Central Missouri Alumni Stories

Central Missouri Alumni Stories is back with an exciting new episode! My good friend and fellow UCM Alum Aaron Norris joined me recently via Zoom to share his story. You may recognize Aaron and/or his artwork from Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter where it’s received well-deserved recognition. During our conversation, he took the time to show some of the pieces he’s working on currently, including an incredible Chiefs Super Bowl Champions oil painting. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Rob is a fellow Alumni Foundation Board Director, Distinguished Alumni, and UCM Athletics Hall of Fame member. With both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from UCM, Rob enjoyed a successful career in Texas as an Agency Field Executive with State Farm. That wasn’t until after Rob was working for the University recruiting students to UCM while he was completing his Master’s Degree. You’ll want to hear about some of fears Rob had to overcome to serve in that role successfully.

Rob was part of the first Mules baseball team to make the World Series. In retirement, he’s committed himself to a role of service to UCM among several wonderful organizations and he’s a key contributor to the MuleNation Dallas Fort Worth Chapter.

Be sure to stick around to the end of this episode to hear the Mule Minute & Rob’s advice he shares with others. Thanks again to Rob for taking the time to talk with me and I am comfortable saying I can speak for Alumni and Future Alumni when I say UCM is lucky to have you as an advocate.

I’m excited to share this month’s episode of Central Missouri Alumni Stories. I am joined by Joe Neuerburg, the Co-Founder of Isaac’s Dream. It is a nonprofit organization working in Ghana, Africa, to provide educational needs to those with no options, breaking the cycle of lost childhoods and giving hope for generations to come.

In this episode of CMAS, our guest is Meryl Lin McKean. You may recognize her from Fox 4 News where she worked for over 30 years as a producer, reporter, and anchor. While her professional honors include Emmy Awards among many others, she was also the recipient of UCM’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014 & she is now a fellow Board Director for the UCM Alumni Foundation.

It was an honor to chat with Meryl Lin about her story that begins in Warrensburg, MO where she was born & raised. I enjoyed learning about how her studies at UCM helped to prepare her (the best they could) for a career in the news & on camera. Tune in & enjoy

Tune in to this week’s Central Missouri Alumni Stories to hear Homer Kay, former Hallmark Cards International CEO (and UCM Alumni Foundation Board Director) share his story. It was great to hear him speak about a few specific professors, and events, from his time at UCM that made a lifelong impact.

This week’s guest on Central Missouri Alumni Stories, Billy Knabe, says “Mr. Lonely” by Midland is his current go-to song. Watch this week’s episode to hear about much more than Billy’s karaoke jams. He played on the UCM Golf Team, studied Graphic Arts Management, pursued a career as a professional golfer after college and now he’s the President and Owner of his own Insurance Firm. I always love an unconventional journey. You’re going to enjoy it, too.

This week on Central Missouri Alumni Stories, Cory Bittner interviewed Logan Freeman. Watch or listen to this week’s episode to hear Logan’s inspirational story. A football player at UCM followed by a brief, humbling experience with the Oakland Raiders, Logan has the perspective to identify what were key turning points & transformational periods in his life.
Logan has both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree’s from UCM and has put them to use in his career. After working for a few different companies, Logan started his own consulting business before establishing himself in Commercial Real Estate, a business he wanted to find a way to break into.
It was a pleasure to chat with Logan and learn about his ambition, his commitment to his craft (along with the grind it requires), the sacrifices he’s made, and the lessons he’s learned. Make sure you stick around until the end to hear Logan’s advice that he gives others and a candid conversation about the things he’d do differently with the benefit of hindsight.
If you enjoy Central Missouri Alumni stories – please make sure you give the show a five-star rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and a thumbs up on YouTube.

On this week’s episode of Central Missouri Alumni Stories, Cory Bittner interviewed a fellow podcaster. He talked with Eric Hughey, Founder of GenWhy Leaders Podcast and Media Account Executive at Informa.
Eric received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from UCM. He’s held a few different professional positions in his career in which he shares some insight around how UCM helped prepare him. More recently, Eric started the GenWhy Leaders Podcast. If you’re wondering what the podcast is about, here’s the description from the GenWhy Leaders Podcast Facebook page:
“Entitled, lazy, unreliable. These are just a few of the words used to describe Millennials. It wasn’t too long ago consumer and employer reports were being built about us, and how we would acclimate to the professional world. Now, we'll soon be leading the workforce. According to Forbes, 75% of the national labor force will be millennials by 2025. Despite the negative stereotypes, this generation is full of individuals already taking leadership positions at companies, starting their own businesses, and pursuing their purpose to support themselves and their families. In the GenWhy Leaders Podcast, we learn why leaders in this age group do what they do, what keeps them motivated, and how they succeed in this ever-more competitive marketplace.”
Tune into this week’s episode to listen to Eric tell his story and share why he started his podcast, and what he’s learned.

On this week’s installment of Central Missouri Alumni Stories, Cory Bittner had a very special guest. He talked with Courtney Goddard, V.P. of Advancement and External Engagement Executive Director, UCM Alumni Foundation.
While Courtney completed her undergraduate studies at Florida State University, she attended Law School at Mizzou and was a practicing attorney for many years before switching career paths. Her & Cory talk about her recent promotion & the role that she plays working for the Foundation.
Tune into this week’s episode for an update from Courtney about the UCM Alumni Foundation & all the exciting activity on the horizon for UCM Alumni. She shares why now is a fantastic time to be an Alum, and why it’s the perfect time to re-engage with your Alma Mater.

This week on Central Missouri Alumni Stories, Cory Bittner, CRPC interviews Nick Bianco, Co-Founder of Kansas City Custom Hardwoods. College wasn’t always part of the plan for Nick but today he recognizes that attending UCM is one of the best decisions of his life.
Nick admitted while he didn’t take college seriously enough initially, a dose of reality forced him to learn what it would take to succeed. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn how Nick buckled down in college, a pivotal point that made him more of a leader, and his journey from sales to eventually co-founding Kansas City Custom Hardwoods.
His advice for anyone and everyone is, “Go for it” so go for it & listen to this week’s show!