June 25, 2024

The Mizzou R.A.H. Award (for Recent Alumni Honorees) sheds light on the incredible things young alumni are doing across the globe. Candidates for this award are 35 years or younger and have shown exceptional professional achievement, along with a demonstrated record of volunteerism, both on campus and in their local communities.

In 2024, three engineering alumni received Mizzou R.A.H. awards, Corey Staller, BS ChE ’14; Kyle Friedman, BS CiE ’16, MS CiE ’18; and Nathaniel Kinsey, BS EE ’11.

Corey Staller
BS ChE, BS ’14
Director of Engineering — Celadyne Technologies | Boise, ID

What is your most meaningful Mizzou memory?

My partner and I getting our pug, Nova, to whom I am dedicating this award. Nova supported us through every professional and personal accomplishment I have, and she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly the morning I was notified about this award. From watching an 8-week-old Nova waddle across Francis Quad to today, Nova was the bedrock of my family, and she entered my life at Mizzou, which is the greatest gift I have ever received. With undying love, thank you, and we miss you, Nova.

Kyle Friedman
BS CiE ’16, MS CiE ’18
Project Engineer — Brierley Associates | Denver, CO

What advice would you give to new Mizzou graduates?

Embracing a “say yes” mentality can be a powerful strategy for maximizing learning and advancement early in your career. It opens doors to unexpected projects, challenges, and collaborations, providing invaluable hands-on experience; it’s through this willingness to adapt and take on new challenges that you can truly propel your career to the next level.

Nathaniel Kinsey
BS EE ’11
Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering — Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA

What is your most meaningful Mizzou memory?

There are way too many to list them all, but I would have to go with meeting my lovely wife. We met in Marching Mizzou (yes, we’re band kids) and on the first day we met, I, the super-duper big boy upper classman, was trashing her major. I’m not sure why she decided to talk to me after that, but it all changed on one of our first ‘dates’ to watch a movie at Jesse Hall. On the way back to the dorm, she fell into my arm and the rest, as they say, is history.

This story was originally published by Mizzou Alumni Association. Read more about current and past Mizzou R.A.H. Awardees here.