Spring 2025 Alumni Reunion: Date TBD

Thank you to all who joined us for the fall 2022 Alumni reunion! Information about the Spring 2025 reunion will be coming shortly!

We appreciate any interest from the alumni in helping plan and facilitate this event. Please reach out to DOF, Dr. Ben Davis (bdavis@truman.edu) if you would like to offer any assistance.

Truman Forensics Alumni Legacies

The number of Alumni of Truman Forensics and the Missouri Theta chapter of Pi Kappa Delta is in the hundreds, and their achievements are significant. This page provides updates on and highlights the multitude of accomplishments earned by former members of Truman Forensics. We are actively seeking any updates to this page in order to provide a more comprehensive history of the team—please send any updates to forensicstruman@gmail.com with the subject ‘Alumni Page Update’!

Early 2000s

Ryan Kennedy (2001)

Ryan Kennedy graduated from Truman win a double major in Russian and Political Science. He holds a PhD in Political Science/International Relations from Ohio State University and is currently on the faculty of the University of Houston. He has completed research in Russia, Kazhakstan, and other parts of the former Soviet Union and recently completed a Fulbright Fellowship in Moldova.

Shane Mecham and Heather (Helm) Mecham (2001)

Shane Mecham graduated with a BA, in Political Science and General Honors and earned his JD from the University of Texas School of Law. He currently works at the Kansas City law firm of Stinson, Morrison, Hecker and has gained media attention for his representation of professional athletes, including NFL players. Heather earned her BA in Communication and later earned an MA in American Studies from the Texas State University-San Marcos. In addition to adjunct teaching duties at William Jewell College and Park College, Heather and Shane recently adopted their son, Lucas, from Guatemala.

Jacob Stutzman (2001)

Jacob Stutzman earned his BA in Communication and later served one year as a Forensics Assistant at Truman while working on an MA in English. He later attended Texas State University, where he coached and earned an MA in Communication. He is nearing the completion of his PhD in Rhetoric at the University of Kansas and currently serves as the Director of Forensics at Oklahoma City University.

Brian Amsden (2002)

Brian Amsden received his BA in Communication at Truman, his MA in Communication at Wayne State University, and is nearing completion of his PhD in Communication at Indiana University-Bloomington.

Tyler Unsell (2003)

Tyler Unsell graduated from Truman with a BA in Communication and later went to Pittsburg State University for his teaching certificate. He served for a year as the Director of Forensics at Ruskin High School before being tapped to succeed Don Crabtree (the Vice President of the NFL) as the Director of Forensics at Park Hill High School in Kansas City. He will be helping to co-host the NFL tournament in Kansas City in 2010.

Kris Kueker (2004 and 2005)

Kris received a BA and MA in Accounting from Truman before taking a job for a major accounting firm in St. Louis. Shortly after graduation he married Jaci Devine, another Truman alumnus.

Jaci Devine (2005)

Jaci graduated from Truman with a BA in Communication. She is currently a Public Relations practitioner.

Matthew Harms (2005)

Matt graduated from Truman with a BA in Economics and currently serves as a securities trader in St. Louis.

Tyson Helder (2005)

Tyson Helder graduated with a BA in Political Science and Communication and is a recent graduate of the University of South Dakota Law School.

Ryan Walsh (2005)

Ryan Walsh graduated from Truman with a BA in Communication and Philosophy and Religion, as well as General Honors. He recently graduated New York University Law School.

Meghana Kunkala (2006)

Meghana Kunkala graduated with a BS in Biology and is now attending St. Louis University Medical School with the intention of specializing in cardio-thoracic surgery.

Trevor Alexander (2007)

Trevor Alexander, an aspiring author, earned a BA in Economics and English from Truman and is currently pursuing a MA degree in English at Kansas State University.

Elizabeth Hobbs (2007)

Elizabeth Hobbs earned a BA in Biology and completed the MAE in Secondary Science Education. She is currently teaching Physical Science courses in Troy, Missouri.

Keith Schakenberg (2007)

Keith received a BA in Political Science and is currently attending the University of San Diego pursuing a MA degree in Public Administration.

Stefani Wittenauer (2007)

Stefani Wittenauer graduated from Truman with a BA in Communication with an emphasis in Journalism and is now studying at Harvard Law School.

Sara Archer (2008)

Sara Archer is a 2008 graduate of Truman’s Accounting Program and currently works for a major St. Louis-based national accounting firm.

Dylan Rothermel (2008)

Dylan Rothermel is a 2008 graduate in Economics and is currently pursing a law degree at Washington University (St. Louis) Law School.

Christopher Girouard (2009)

Christopher Girouard received his BA in Political Science and Communication in 2009 and now works as a legislative aid in the Missouri General Assembly.

Kristel Givogue (2009)

Kristel received a BA in Communication and Psychology and is now pursing a PhD at the University of Kansas.

2010s

Mark Buchheit (2010)

Mark Bucheit received his BS in History, and is now in Washington, D.C. working on his graduate degree in Defense Studies.

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Hatting (2011)

Betty received her BA in Political Science, and is now attending law school at Mizzou.

Andrew Grojean (2012)

Andrew Grojean earned his BA in Communication. He is currently a Social Media Coordinator at a marketing agency in Kansas City that specializes in digital pharma.

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Pi Kappa Delta Alumni Chapter

Plans are underway to establish an alumni chapter of Pi Kappa Delta. These chapters are loosely connected to the PKD National Office in Wisconsin, but also exist to do philanthropic work and help with the Truman PKD chapter as well. The chapter is being organized by Shane Mecham and Heather (Helm) Mecham of the class of 2001. Membership in the chapter requires a $35 fee. For more information, contact Shane at smecham@hotmail.com.