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Superintendent Grayling Tobias was honored as a 2013 University of Missouri-St. Louis Distinguished Alumni at the UMSL Founders Dinner  on Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, 100 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton.

The Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1987 as the University of Missouri- St. Louis Alumni Association’s highest graduate honor. The award is presented annually to five university alumni who have made extraordinary career achievements, distinguished themselves through significant community service or gone above and beyond in their interaction/support of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by my alma mater. My life has been enriched by many educators especially at UMSL,” said Tobias. “I would like to share with teachers, students and parents the nurturing and rich educational experience I received. I would like to thank everyone who played a role in my education at UMSL for helping me to be who I am today. I share this award with my mentors and colleagues, and those who work closest with our children at the Hazelwood School District.”

Tobias earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from UMSL in 1980. He has a Master of Arts Degree from Truman State University and a Doctor of Education Leadership Degree from Saint Louis University.

He has more than 24 years of experience in education, 17 as an administrator. He has worked in large school districts, a small district, public and private schools. Before pursuing his career in education, Tobias played professional baseball for the farm teams of both the Montreal Expos and Detroit Tigers. He is a member of the baseball halls and the St. Louis Baseball of fame at UMSL, McCluer High School and  the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.