Five years ago, Fred Kummer, a 1955 Missouri S&T civil engineering graduate, and his wife, June, made history with a $300 million gift to the university — the largest single donation to a Missouri higher education institution. This gift allowed for the creation of the Kummer Vanguard Scholars program, which provides students with opportunities that go well beyond financial support.

Each year, up to 350 undergraduates are selected as Kummer Vanguard Scholars and receive $2,000 annually for up to four years. In addition to financial support, the scholars take part in experiences related to entrepreneurship, leadership, design and build, social responsibility and research. Since the program began, scholars have maintained a 93% first-to-second year retention rate and a 3.56 average GPA.

We asked four Kummer Vanguard Scholars to share how the program has shaped their experiences at S&T and is preparing them for future success. Here’s what they said:

Christy Johnson: Appreciating the environment
“The Kummer Vanguard Scholars program has been one of the most influential and formative experiences during my time at S&T,” says Christy Johnson, a senior in environmental engineering from Chesterfield, Missouri. “When I first arrived, the required events gave me the supportive push I needed to explore what S&T, and the world have to offer. Looking back, I can see how much I benefited from that.”

Johnson is a Dean’s Undergraduate Research Scholar for S&T’s College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) and studies bioremediation. After graduating in May, she plans to begin a career in environmental consulting and earn a master’s degree.

Johnson is president of the Chi Omega sorority and involved with the Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi honor societies, the Society of Women Engineers and CEC’s Leadership and Innovation for Futures in Engineering (LIFE) program. She has completed internships with USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Services and Rocksmith Geoengineering.

Lindsay Chappell: Blasting open opportunities
“My time in the Kummer Vanguard Scholars program has been productive, creative and intriguing,” says Lindsay Chappell, a junior in mining engineering from St. Louis. “It has helped me be a better student and researcher through the programs it offers.”At S&T, Chappell researches bio-mining and reclamation, and says she has a passion for explosives engineering. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in explosives engineering at S&T, work as a blaster for a few years then consider a Ph.D. with the goal of contributing to the defense industry.

Chappell is involved with the International Genetically Engineered Machine Design Team; the Aerial Swing Dance Club; LIFE and its steering committee; Women in Mining; the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration; the International Society of Explosives Engineers; and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.

She has completed internships with Summit Materials, which is now part of Quikrete, and Buckley Powder Company.

Alise Howell: Building connections and confidence
“Being a first-generation college student made entering my freshman year tough. I wasn’t sure what I should do or who I should ask for help, but what I did know is that I had Kummer Vanguard Scholars events to attend,” says Alise Howell, a junior in architectural engineering from Dexter, Missouri, with minors in economics and mathematics.

“The first couple of events introduced me to new people and answered some of the questions I hadn’t thought to ask yet,” Howell says. “The program really encouraged me to get out of my dorm and engage with more people I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

Howell is an officer for the Delta Omicron Lambda sorority and is involved with the Greek Independent Council, Order of Omega and the Concrete Canoe Design Team.
After graduation, she aspires to join a design-build contracting firm and contribute to residential and commercial projects.

Luke Twitty: Crystallizing his path
“The most valuable experiences I’ve had through the Kummer Vanguard Scholars program have been the Kummer Colloquiums,” says Luke Twitty, a junior in physics and applied mathematics from Witt, Illinois. “Hearing from leaders in academia, government and industry has fundamentally shaped how I think about my career trajectory and the kind of impact I want to have.”Twitty is involved with research related to computational condensed matter physics and crystal structure prediction. He says the colloquiums helped him clarify not only what he wants to study but also why that research matters.

He is an officer for S&T’s Society of Physics Students and is a member of the Foundation for Undergraduate Mathematicians, the Mathematics Competition Club and Philosophy Club.