The Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame 2026 inductees include a pioneer of the American kindergarten, a political scientist and humanitarian and a philanthropic foundation.

These three inductees — Susan Blow, Dr. Ken Rutherford and the Dunn Family Foundation — were selected as citizens with a connection to the state of Missouri who serve as examples of global citizens. They define the essence of public affairs and have acted consistently for the benefit of others.  

Blow will receive this year’s legacy award. 

“Each of this year’s inductees has made a meaningful impact through years of leadership and service. Through their vision, generosity and dedication, they’ve improved lives, strengthened communities and inspired others to make a difference,” said Missouri State University President Dr. Richard B. Williams. “We’re honored to celebrate their remarkable achievements.” 

Attend the induction ceremony 

Blow, Rutherford and Dunn Family Foundation will be inducted into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame Sept. 10. 

The induction ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at The Old Glass Place in Springfield. Tickets for the black-tie optional dinner event are $50 and can be purchased online.  

Table sponsorships are available. Contact Kelsey Menefee, director of university advancement relations at Missouri State: KelseyMenefee@MissouriState.edu or 417-836-4143.

About the inductees

Susan Blow

Known as the “mother of the American kindergarten,” Blow (1843-1916), transformed early childhood education in the United States. Inspired by the kindergarten philosophy of German educator Friedrich Froebel, she opened an experimental public kindergarten at Des Peres School in St. Louis in 1873. The program quickly expanded, earning support from parents, teachers and administrators. By 1880, every public school in St. Louis included a kindergarten. 

Blow helped bring national attention to the movement through demonstrations at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, attracting educators from across the country to train under her.  Kindergarten programs spread rapidly, growing to more than 400 schools in 30 states by 1880 and more than 1,300 public kindergartens nationwide by 1900. Her leadership helped turn a local educational experiment into a national movement and a lasting foundation of American early childhood education. 

Dr. Ken Rutherford

Rutherford, a political scientist and global humanitarian advocate, built a career devoted to advancing the rights and protection of people affected by armed conflict. Before joining James Madison University, he was a professor of political science at Missouri State University, where he helped establish the university as a United Nations depository library and advanced its public affairs mission as a provost fellow and conference chair. 

Rutherford co-founded the Landmine Survivors Network and helped lead the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. That year, he joined Princess Diana on her final humanitarian mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina. He later helped negotiate victim assistance provisions in the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions and directed the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery from 2010 to 2019. A landmine survivor injured in Somalia, Rutherford has been named among the 100 most influential people in armed violence reduction. He has received several honors including the Global Humanitarian Award, presented by Sir Paul McCartney. He holds a PhD from Georgetown University and advanced degrees from the University of Colorado. 

Dunn Family Foundation

The Dunn Family Foundation has spent more than four decades turning one Kansas City family’s legacy of generosity into lasting support for education, human services and community well-being. Founded in 1981 by Bob Dunn, grandson of JE Dunn Construction founder John Ernest “Ernie” Dunn Sr., the private charitable foundation grew out of a philanthropic legacy carried forward by three generations of the Dunn family. Today, a family board of directors spanning four generations guides the foundation’s giving toward enhancing quality of life and meeting community needs across the greater Kansas City area, with priorities that include enriching neighborhoods, supporting people in need and strengthening spirituality.  

That commitment extends well beyond the foundation itself. Each year, JE Dunn Construction donates a portion of its net income to nonprofits nationwide, a commitment that has exceeded $17 million in recent years, while employees contribute more than 54,000 volunteer hours annually through a national network of community ambassadors. Together, the foundation, JE Dunn and its employees engage with more than 1,100 nonprofit organizations across the country each year, extending a family legacy that continues to shape communities. 

Previous inductees

This year’s inductees will join 43 others who have made positive impacts on the state of Missouri and beyond. 

Visit the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame website for more information.