Each spring, select students are honored for their leadership, service, and dedication to academics, campus, and community during Tap Day festivities. In a tradition dating back to the early 1900s, a small group of students are “tapped” into one of MU’s six secret societies in the days leading up to a formal ceremony, when new members are unveiled to the community. Each society also honor taps MU staff and faculty members who have contributed significantly to the university. The six societies – QEBH, Mystical Seven, LSV, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa and the Rollins Society. This year, HDFS was represented by two of our own:

Jaimes Donovan, a rising senior studying HDFS and Psychology was tapped into QEBH. Founded in 1898 by Dr. Royal Hill Switzler, QEBH is the University of Missouri’s oldest honor society and only inducted members know the meaning of the letters. Dr. Switzler sought a select group of students who would contribute to the university’s well-being, “to promote the University and to constantly be on guard on her behalf.”

Jaimes has served on the MU Tour Team, as a College of Education & Human Development Ambassador, a Residential Advisor, and as Summer Welcome leader. When discussing her time in our program, Jaimes said, “I’ve made so many fulfilling connections with faces from all over campus…it’s been an honor to foster relationships that will impact my life! I’m so excited to see what’s next in my Mizzou story!”

Dr. Ashlie Lester, Associate Teaching Professor, was inducted into the Rollins Society, which is the only secret society at the University of Missouri that is focused solely on graduate and professional students.

Dr. Lester was inducted as an honor tap; honor taps are for individuals whose contributions to graduate student success and community well-being illustrate dedication to public service and whose record of service affirms the importance of the Society’s watchwords: Officium (Duty), Fides (Faithfulness), and Ductus (Leadership). 

Dr. Lester, a co-Director of Graduate Studies, has spent over a decade advocating for graduate students. She has advised more than 65 Family and Community Services Master’s students and served on countless committees to enhance their experience, including a Task Force for Graduate Student Experience, the Campus Writing Board, the advisory boards for the Writing Center and the Disability Center, and the Graduate School’s AI Teaching Fellow.

This past year, she helped lead the Graduate Mental Health Task Force, advocating for a dedicated Care Team Coordinator for graduate students. The President of the Rollins Society leadership board, Jessica Osaze, said this about Dr Lester: “Her support of parenting students and commitment to inclusive practices make her a vital force in our community.”

Congrats Jaimes and Ashlie! We are honored to have you in our family.

See more information here: https://studentaffairs.missouri.edu/tap-day/