Mayor Bill Jenks receives The Missourian Award

Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks, III was presented The Missourian Award, an acknowledgement of the most accomplished citizens of the State of Missouri, during a ceremony held on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 in Jefferson City.

(Pictured left: Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks, III (center), is presented The Missourian Award during an awards banquet held on Sept. 17, 2011 in Jefferson City. Also pictured (l-r) are David Appleby, 2005 Missourian Award Recipient, Colonel, Retired, Special Forces, and Attorney at Law, Springfield, Mo.; and Ralph H. Slavens, Chairman & Founder, Missourian Awards Program, 1999 Missourian Award Recipient, and Attorney at Law, Ralph H. Slavens & Associates, Springfield, Mo.)

Jenks, who is serving his second 4-year term as Mayor of Rolla, said he was very honored to receive the award. “I sincerely appreciate being nominated and selected for this award,” said Jenks.

A graduate of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., Jenks said he was particularly pleased Dr. George B.  Forsythe, President of Westminster College, was also chosen to receive The Missourian Award. Mayor Jenks attended the awards banquet with his wife, Jeannie Jenks, who is an active volunteer with the City of Rolla’s VIPS program (Volunteer in Police Service).

The prestigious state-wide award, first established in 1994, is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their state or nation in the fields of civics, business, arts or politics. Among those who have received the award include: President Harry S. Truman, Thomas Hart Benton, Walter Cronkite, General Omar Bradley, Governor Mel Carnahan, Mark Twain, Walt Disney, and Vincent Price.