Sanders Roth ’04 Lifts Up Missouri Military Academy with Gift for Maintenance

Sometimes making a difference is as simple as seeing, asking and doing. 

During Homecoming 2019, Sanders Roth ’04 saw areas atop MMA buildings that weren’t as polished and clean as the rest of campus, so he asked about their condition and why those areas weren’t as cared for. When he found out that the maintenance of these high locations were out of reach of the maintenance crew and would require the rental of a boom lift to address, he decided he could solve that challenge.

Taking great pride in the Academy and his time spent there, Roth decided he would commit to help fill a need that he saw MMA wasn’t able to meet without support.  

Roth generously donated $10,000 towards a $16,000 boom lift for maintenance and repair of areas of the Academy the maintenance team is unable to reach with a ladder. This includes cleaning the high entryways to buildings, repairing Memorial Chapel steeple, repairing lights, trimming trees and much more.

The two-wheel drive, 60-foot boom lift was purchased from a private seller in Columbia who accepted Roth’s donation and a gift-in-kind credit for the remaining $6,000 balance.

“Sanders Roth’s support of MMA demonstrates the kind of initiative that generates momentum and forward progress for the Academy,” said MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret). “He saw a need and immediately acted upon it. His generosity supports the overall campus appearance, helping us to maintain beautiful facilities for a campus environment that our cadets, families, alumni, faculty and staff can be proud of.”

“More importantly, he has demonstrated the type of leadership and support that MMA needs from our alumni in order to continue to thrive,” Geraci added.

As an MMA cadet, Roth played football and track and was a member of the band and rifle team. He was also an M-Club member, Delta Phi Honors Society member and junior class vice president. He was the Delta company commander at the time of his graduation in 2004.

“What MMA did for me can’t be described in words, only in hard work and dedication,” Roth said. “It taught me to be responsible.”

A regular contributor to MMA’s mission and frequent MMA special events guest, Roth says he considers it an honor and pleasure to return to MMA as often as he can because he values his connection to the Academy and his brotherhood.

“[The MMA brotherhood] are the best friends you can ask for. True brothers,” he said.

This year, Roth was also a tournament sponsor for the 2019 Homecoming Alumni Golf Tournament — an activity he considers to be a highlight of his Homecoming experience.

“The golf tournament is always a blast,” he said. “However, this year MMA put on a dinner with awards.  I really enjoyed that.”

Currently, Roth serves as the vice president of business development at Starport Technologies, which provides bar code and RFID technology to national and international businesses, including John Deere, Walmart, LulaRoe, Monsanto, National Football League and Bayer.

MMA is thankful for Sanders Roth’s support and the leadership he has demonstrated. Alumni, like him, continue to make a significant impact on the Academy.