William "Billy" Anderson THRIVE Scholarship

The William “Billy” Anderson Thrive Scholarship is available through the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation to provide scholarship support for students who are involved with the THRIVE program, are in good academic standing at UCM, and demonstrate a financial need. This scholarship was established by Dennis and Dorothy Anderson.

Dennis and Dorothy Anderson are longtime supporters of the University of Central Missouri (UCM) and have contributed many years of time, talent, and resources to its success. Dorothy worked at the University in a variety of roles for 23 years before retiring in 2004. Dennis began teaching in the Criminal Justice Department in 1999, after retiring from the Federal Bureau of Investigation with 29 years of service; the last four years of his service he taught at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. A mutual friend introduced Dennis to Dorothy, and they were married in 2000.

They are avid supporters of UCM Athletics and regularly attend practices and games. Dennis established the Criminal Justice Scholar Athlete Annual Scholarship while teaching Criminal Justice at UCM from 1999-2007. They are very proud of their children and grandchildren, including Michael Brunkhorst, ’92, ’05, who has served as the Director of the UCM THRIVE Program.

This scholarship is named in memory of Dennis’s brother, William “Billy” Anderson. Billy and his twin brother, Robert were born in Detroit, Michigan in 1931. Robert served in the U.S. Navy, then married, raised a family and led a successful life. However, early in life Billy was diagnosed as developmentally disabled and was sent to the Lapeer Training School, a very large institution for the mentally disabled in Michigan.

In the 1970s, these large institutions were shut down and residents were sent to group homes. Billy was sent to a group home on a farm with 7-10 other men. Robert would visit and bring Billy home for holidays and family gatherings. Billy passed away in 1995 and is buried alongside his parents in Detroit, Michigan. Dennis and Dorothy hope this scholarship enables future THRIVE Program students to live full and independent lives.