Elizabeth Wiles (’06) fell in love with Truman when she attended the Joseph Baldwin Academy. Now she is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Studies and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies & Student Research at the University, where she works with students in a variety of ways. Wiles earned her undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Religion then her Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Law.

Wiles chairs Truman’s pre-law programming and recently organized “Tru Crime Day,” which weaved together all the strands of her work across campus. It was an interdisciplinary day of events related to crime, law and justice and brought together alumni, current students, faculty and staff as well as high school and middle school students from across the state. She organized a book club which featured eight different student-led discussions with community members and alumni from around the country. “It was so fulfilling to see the sense of community and belonging that Bulldogs cultivate wherever we are,” said Wiles. The day concluded with a Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series event featuring Anthony Ray Hinton, author of The Sun Does Shine.

Wiles was named one of Truman’s Educators of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year and was also awarded the William O’Donnell Lee Advising Award for the 2019-2020 school year. She continues to support students who are passionate about all facets of Truman’s rich, liberal arts and sciences curriculum. She said, “I fell in love with this place pretty much at first sight. I have always felt at home here. However, if you would’ve asked me back when I was in college where I would end up, I don’t think I would’ve guessed that I would have been so lucky to end up teaching here.”

On April 5, Truman’s annual Foundation Celebration will recognize the tremendous impact of the University Foundation and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the General John J. Pershing Scholarship. Additionally, two presidential awards will  be presented.

 A philanthropic partner for Truman, Mastercard, will be presented with the Distinguished Corporation/Foundation Award. Mastercard encourages employees to engage with their community while building a purpose-driven workforce. In addition to the company’s variety of community engagement opportunities across the globe, employees in the U.S. have 40 hours/5 days each year for volunteering. Some Truman alumni at Mastercard have dedicated these hours to supporting student recruitment, school support and engagement, on-campus and remote speaking opportunities to classes and clubs as well as serving as mentors and judges for the annual Bulldog B.I.T.E. innovation pitch competition and serving on the various boards that support the University. Alumni working at Mastercard have also served as Bentele-Mallinckrodt scholars and as speakers on the topics of business and cybersecurity in the annual Tru-Biz Business Forums.

Ann Covington will be recognized with the President’s Leadership Award. Along with her late husband, Charles J. McClain, President emeritus of Truman, Covington has generously given her time, talent and treasure to the University. She is a member of all of Truman’s most prestigious giving societies: the John R. Kirk Society, the Joseph Baldwin Society and the President’s Circle. She also continues to support the Charles J. McClain Foundation Scholarship and the General John J. Pershing Scholarship. Recognized by the American Bar Association as one of the Women Trailblazers in the Law, Covington was the first woman to serve on the Missouri Court of Appeals, the first woman appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court and the first woman to be named chief justice.

Additionally, the event will feature student speakers and performers and gives donors to scholarships the opportunity to meet with the recipients of their scholarship.