Working within the Mizzou Alumni Association, Catherine Corley, Jackson Ptasienski and Jenna Winkler lead the steering committee in charge of Mizzou’s 110th Homecoming. The committee of 37 students has been planning a blood drive, talent show, spirit rally, parade and more, all with safety in mind. Meet the directors who are eager to welcome Tigers back to Columbia and find out what the theme “A Reason to Roar” means to them.
Catherine Corley
Catherine Corley, 20
Accounting major
Leawood, Kansas
Self-description: Tenacious, thoughtful, balanced
Involved in Homecoming because: I am a fifth-generation Tiger. Homecoming is a way to preserve my family’s legacy while bringing Homecoming to new heights.
Homecoming theme means to me: A chance for all Tigers to come together for the first time in over a year
Biggest “oops” as a director: Not using a scheduling website and instead hand sorting through all the committee members’ schedules to find a meeting time
Ultimate dinner companion: Malala Yousafzai
Can’t live without: Chicken tenders
A casual friend would never guess: I am scuba certified.
First purchase with lottery winnings: Chipotle! You can’t celebrate while you’re hungry.
First crush: Jackson from Hannah Montana
Obsession: Kombucha
Superpower I’d like to have: Teleportation
Favorite quote: “She believed she could, so she did.” — R.S. Gray
Jackson Ptasienski
Jackson Ptasienski, 21
Psychology and sociology major
Round Lake Beach, Illinois
Favorite class: Drugs and Behavior with Professor Ines Segert
Self-description: Reliable, structured, clumsy
Involved in Homecoming because: I want to give all students an opportunity to feel they are part of Mizzou’s most honored tradition.
Favorite thing about Homecoming: The community that comes together to make this incredible week happen
Biggest surprise about college life: The amount of cooking I would have to do
Ultimate dinner companion: Chef Gordon Ramsay. I would love to hear him talk about how a dish tastes and then see if I can understand where the flavors are coming from.
Can’t live without: A rice cooker
Glad I did it but wouldn’t do it again: Try a LaCroix
Biggest fear: Snakes
Would never: Let food go to waste — I was raised in a household of five boys!
First crush: Demi Lovato
I’d love to read the mind of: My 190-pound mastiff, Walter
Obsession: TikTok meal prep recipes
Jenna Winkler
Jenna Winkler, 21
Economics and marketing major
Perryville, Missouri
Favorite class: Personal Selling with Professor Wayne Keene
Involved in Homecoming because: I wanted to give back to the university for all that it has done for me.
Homecoming theme means to me: “A Reason to Roar” encompasses every reason Tigers are proud to be Tigers.
Biggest “oops” I’ve made as a director: Calling the Mizzou Alumni Association “MMA,” the wrestling organization
Biggest surprise about college life: How much coffee I can consume
Would never: Be caught wearing a Blackhawks jersey
First crush: Channing Tatum
I’d love to read the mind of: Jimmy Fallon
Obsession: Accessories. I cannot leave my house without earrings and a necklace on.
Best way to relax: Looking at houses on Zillow
Favorite quote: Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
To read more articles like this, become a Mizzou Alumni Association member and receive MIZZOU magazine in your mailbox. Click here to join.
