Landrum honored by alumni association

Chris Landrum is the first to admit her goal with the Help the Hungry bake sale was not to put herself in the spotlight-but to shine a light on the needs in the community.

So, it’s understandable when Landrum says her initial response was one of “surprise and honor” when she learned the Parkland Area Tigers, a local chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association, nominated her for the Mizzou Alumni Association’s Griffiths Leadership Society for Women-a program that seeks to help alumnae learn from one another and grow into a network of strong female leaders.

On March 7 and 8, the Griffiths Leadership Society for Women hosted more than 150 Mizzou leaders in Columbia and honored highly accomplished alumni during its annual spring conference, which coincided with International Women’s Day.

Landrum, a 1976 graduate of the University of Missouri, was honored with the 2014 Spirit of Martha Award. Landrum was recognized as a woman who exemplifies the spirit of service and leadership in the furtherance of women. With 26 years of experience with academic advising, career counseling, teaching and development in higher education, Landrum has an undeniable passion for helping others.

During this time, she oversaw the Career Planning Center at Mineral Area College, implemented state-recognized programs for economically and socially disadvantaged workers and developed testing packages for local business and industry. She continues to work for Mineral Area College’s Customized Training Division as a trainer and work keys job profiler.

Landrum is also founder and chair of the Help the Hungry Bake Sale, a mother of five, a grandmother of seven, member of Nancy Weber Garden Club and has been a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Farmington for more than 20 years.

The event was “eye-opening” for Landrum, saying each award recipient showed “examples of strong leadership in a variety of fields.”

Landrum was humbled when thinking of the award, saying she considers it a highlight of her volunteer service career.

“You don’t (volunteer) thinking of what awards you can receive. So, when it does happen, it seems so foreign,” Landrum admitted. “It was such a magical time.”

Landrum gives credit to those who help her with the bake sale as an integral part of the success, also acknowledging the sale is something she felt called to do.

“God directed everything to come together,” Landrum said of Help the Hungry.

Landrum, as well as a local high school senior receiving a $4000 scholarship to Mizzou, will be honored at the Parkland Area Tigers general membership meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. Featured guest at this event is Dr. Jim Spain, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Missouri.

The Parkland Area Tigers represent Missouri counties of Iron, Madison, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington with more than 180 members. Chartered in 2012 with nearly 1,000 alumni living in the chapter region, Parkland Area Tigers is excited to engage alumni, family and supporters in the chapter through social, professional and philanthropic activities. For details on events or to get involved, visit parklandarea.missourialumnispaces.com or contact parklandareatigers@gmail.com.

Chris Landrum, center, was honored with the 2014 Spirit of Martha Award from the Mizzou Alumni Association’s Griffiths Leadership Society for Women during ceremonies in Columbia on March 7 and 8. Landrum was nominated by the Parkland Area Tigers chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association. Attending the ceremony with Landrum were (front from left) Landrum’s daughter, Briana Saunders, and father, Bill Rogers. Back row (from left) Landrum’s husband, Mit; sister, Laura Harris along with Chad and Stacy Follis from the Parkland Area Tigers.