ALUMNI NEWS

Q&A With Debbie Snellen

Interview by Jeremy Diener

Note: Debbie Snellen, BS ’79, MA ’80, took over as president of the MU Alumni Association Board of Directors in July. Snellen, who entertained many Tiger fans and friends as Mizzou's beloved tiger mascot, is president of Business Class, a St. Louis company dedicated to training and development options for businesses and organizations. She recently took time out of her busy schedule to discuss her new role and Mizzou memories.

As an alumna, you must have many fond Mizzou memories. What are some of your favorites?

Snellen: My favorite memory of Mizzou will always be Homecoming. Growing up in Columbia, I started going to house decorations with my family before I was 10 years old. I have loved the tradition ever since. It is such a great event in that it brings the entire community to Mizzou. And then with breakfast, the parade, the game, and all of the other activities, it is definitely my favorite tradition. I served as the tiger mascot my junior and senior year (Truman before Truman had a name). Homecoming my senior year was extra special for me as the cheerleaders nominated me for Homecoming queen. I made it to the finalists and, therefore, was able to enjoy the game in regular clothes! I was happy to give up the tiger suit (for one game at least) to the next person in line, Jann Carl (now of Entertainment Tonight).

As tiger mascots, we were often asked to visit with the children in University Hospital. I'll never forget the special look on their faces when we would walk into their rooms in costume. We were always accompanied by student-athletes. Those are special times I will never forget.

Congratulations on being appointed president of the MUAA Board of Directors. Moving forward, what are your plans for the board?

Snellen: I have several priorities in mind as I take on the role of MUAA President. Our long-range planning committee has begun to meet again to revise the long-range plan we published in 1999. So much has changed in the past four years. It is critically important that we continue to explore and discuss the future of our Association and construct a plan to take us there.

I also hope to continue to “get the word out” about the importance of our Association. Though it may be difficult to meaningfully quantify the results of the hard work done by our volunteers and staff, we must find ways to recognize the crucial role that the Association plays in keeping alumni informed and involved. We know that informed and involved alumni give back to Mizzou in many ways.

I also hope to encourage our alumni who are business owners, managers, and supervisors to consider asking their Mizzou alumni employees to volunteer in their local chapters. So many skills can be learned while volunteering and many of these skills are directly related to better business performance. The concept of service learning offers us more opportunities to find and develop volunteers and future leaders of our Association.

What are the challenges facing the MU Alumni Association as you begin your term?

Snellen: As with all of higher education, our Association is challenged by the fiscal realities of tight budgets and having to deal with fewer financial resources. We must look for creative ways to fund the work we do to fulfill our mission. We must ensure that membership in our Association provides worthwhile benefits and we must continue to promote the important relationship between the work of the Association and Mizzou.

What is your personal philosophy on the role and function of the Alumni Association within the University setting?

Snellen: Our mission statement was rewritten in 1999 by the Long-Range Planning Committee. As a part of that group, I fully embrace the idea that our Association is here to support the best interests and traditions of our flagship university and its alumni worldwide. Now, perhaps more than ever, our Association needs to keep the ties to alumni strong, keep them informed, and get them involved. We provide a crucial link from the University to the alumni and vice versa.

As president of Business Class, you’re enjoying a successful career that has placed you in a variety of professional positions. How did Mizzou prepare you to be successful in business?

Snellen: I founded my business in 1988 to provide workshops, seminars, and retreat facilitation nationwide and in Canada. I could not do this without the experiences I had at Mizzou. My adviser in the Speech Department (now the Department of Communication), Dr. James Gibson, first told me of the field of Organizational Training and Development. All of the classes I took associated with that department have been valuable. Academically, I have always felt well prepared. However, it does not stop there. The many, many activities I was able to participate in provided a good balance of additional skills and competencies that are now so important. From the Alumni Association Student Board, Homecoming Steering Committee, being a part of the Greek system, to having a part-time job on campus — all of these contributed to a total package of learning experiences that serve me even now.

What does Mizzou mean to you?

Snellen: I am so lucky to have the honor of serving in the position of President of the University of Missouri Alumni Association. Though there are many great causes in the world that need good volunteers, I have found my niche with Mizzou. I owe my success to Mizzou, and now I have a way to give back. I cannot think of anything to which I would rather give my time. I am very proud to be a part of Mizzou.

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Last Update: March 12, 2007