Contributor Biographies

Anna Valencia - Anna studies at Fayette High School, and attended Young Writer’s Day. Ashley Atherton - Ashley Atherton is a senior Communications Major with a Minor in Art. She’s working towards going to graduate school next spring to acquire her Masters in Library Science. She loves spending time with her friends, family, and dog, Teyrah. Ashley Patzwald - Ashley is a junior English major that wants to teach high school English once she graduates from CMU. She is involved with Navigators, Chapel, Sigma Alpha Pi and Sigma Tau Delta. She loves kick boxing and writing stories. Brooke Emmerich - Brooke is a senior Accounting and Business major who is striving to become a CPA after graduation. She is and has been heavily involved in Enactus throughout her college years. She loves being outdoors and traveling. Brooke Striegel - Brooke is a senior Church Leadership major who wants to pursue music ministry after graduation. She is involved with the Navigators and music ministry on campus. She enjoys mission work, singing, and traveling. Catherine Barnard - Catherine Barnard is a junior Nursing major. On campus, she’s a soprano in the Conservatory Singers and works in the Writing Center. She loves to do yoga, paint, write, and sing. Darren Defreitas - Darren is a junior Psychology major, and does Track and Field. D’Yanna Kloog - D’Yanna is a current sophomore Sociology major with a Psychology minor, and an active member in Alpha Gamma Psi. She loves taking pictures of nature and drawing. She plans to be a Human Resource Representative or Guidance counselor after graduation. She has a passion for helping people. Echo Essick - Echo is a senior Church Leadership major striving to work in youth ministry. She is active with the Navigators here on campus and is an intern at Faith Family Church. She loves working with youth and traveling to other nations spreading the Gospel. Erin Schulz - Erin is pursuing a major in Marine Biology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She is involved with the Marine Biology Club, the Navigators, and FCA. She loves the beach and wants to be involved in the recuse, rehabilitation, and release process with marine animals in the future. Evan Alley - Evan studies at Boonville High School, and attended Young Writer’s Day. Grace McDowell - Grace studies at Boonville High School, and attended Young Writer’s Day. Grace Stumbaugh - Grace is a sophomore English major who plans on being a High School English teacher after graduation. She is on the varsity volleyball team and is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi education honors society. She enjoys baking and traveling. Gregory Owen - Gregory is the Assistant Professor of Theatre, and works as a Scenic and Lighting Designer, as well as a Technical Director.

Gregory Thurmon - Professor Thurmon is an aspiring animal care taker, who has been in college for many years. Hobbies include talking and scuba diving. He loves to share underwater world with others. Hannah Eisenbarth - Hannah studies at Smithton High School, and attended Young Writer’s Day. Hope Howser - Hope Howser is a twenty year old sophomore at CMU. She’s an English major and looking to get certified in secondary education. She enjoys cheerleading, writing, and reading. Janna Mackay - Janna is a senior Psychology and Criminal Justice major. She has been heavily involved in the sorority Alpha Gamma Psi, Psychology Club, and Pi Lambda Alpha throughout her college years. She enjoys dogs, coffee, and reading. Janie Leathers - Janie is majoring in chemistry and biology with a minor in mathematics. She hopes to attend medical school after graduation to become a physician. She has earned top honors in chemistry, biology, and mathematics, as well as the Demaree Prize for being the freshman student with the highest GPA for the 2017-18 Academic year. Jordan Lane - Jordan Lane is a junior Biology major, here at CMU, striving to improve humanity’s thoughts on the beautiful world ensuring our lives on Earth. He has been president of the Environmental Science Club as well as former president of Game Geeks. Jordan loves traveling the world to enjoy nature’s bounty. Kylie Tillman - Kylie is a senior Psychology and Criminal Justice double major with a minor in Writing & Publication. She is also the president of Psychology Club and Psi Chi. She hopes to work in publication after graduation. Lillian Wade - Lillian studies at Marshall High School, and attended Young Writer’s Day. Logan Thies - Logan studies at Fayette High School, and attended Young Writer’s Day. Luke Knoble - Luke is a senior Physics and Math major. He is on the baseball team, works as a part-time EMT, and is involved with the Navigators. He enjoys being active outdoors through backpacking and triathlons. He also likes astronomy, medicine, and playing guitar. Maggie Gebhardt - Maggie is the assistant director of marketing and communications at CMU. She graduated from CMU in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, and was an award-winning journalist in Kansas before returning to Missouri. She enjoys golf, photography, and nature, and spends most of her time adoring her one-year-old son, Julian, his father and her significant other, Adam, their golden retriever, Baylee, and her family. Meredith Stumbaugh - Meredith studies at Fayette High School, and attended Young Writer’s Day. Molly Lyons - Molly is a junior English major striving to work in the entertainment industry. She has been heavily involved in the sorority, Theta Chi Upsilon, and CMU’s Englsih society, Sigma Tau Delta. She enjoys film, singing, and being outdoors. Natalie Van Horn - Natalie Van Horn is a junior Marine Biology Major with minors in both English and Art, who hopes to couple her passion for animals