Unexpected passing leaves void in the halls of Stewart and hearts of those who knew and loved him.

When Dakota Ioanis walked into Stewart Hall for the first time before the Fall 2020 semester began — his first year as a grad student and teaching assistant in geography — he expressed his thrill to be here.

Fresh-faced and eager, he smiled as he walked down the halls, looking at the grad offices, geography library and the rest of the facilities. His excitement was infectious; his enthusiasm real; and his fears rational — at least to him, but perhaps not to the professors and department chair who accepted him into the program. They believed in him perhaps more than he did himself.

Mainly Ioanis had anxiety about his age entering Mizzou, nearly 30. He also said he was slightly scared of the “Intro to GIS” class he was taking with Clayton Blodgett, as he was more interested in the political, human, and cultural aspects of geography and didn’t have the technological background he felt needed for the class.

He expressed he had many doubts about returning to graduate school. “It took me nearly seven years to earn my undergraduate degree from Drury (University), which is a time frame many in academia complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” he wrote for an interview the department did on incoming masters students. “Basically, I suppose, if as an ‘old man’ I can produce quality work, and can show effective and fruitful results from my efforts throughout this year, I will consider that a successful school year.”

He did successfully complete the 2020-2021 school year, as hoped. But tragically passed away in his sleep on Thursday, May 20, the week after finals. He is greatly missed among this geography family, as well as others who knew and loved him. A memorial service was held May 29, and despite the two-hour drive each way to Independence, near Buckner where he lived, many faculty and some students were in attendance.

Memories Shared

Doug Hurt, professor and director of undergrad studies, said he was fortunate to have worked with Ioanis. “He was one of my TAs for ‘Geography 1100.’ We’ll miss his calm demeanor, even in stressful situations, as well as his constant dedication to helping students learn. During a difficult COVID semester, he embraced teaching online, in-person, and even juggled classes that had both online and in-person learners at the same time.”

Grad student Sarah Kammeyer had equally good memories of Ioanis: “Dakota was my favorite kvetching partner,” she said. “I could always count on him for a good venting session about the frustrations of TAing, assignments due tomorrow that had yet to be started, and the general exhaustion of grad school.

“But after we’d finished throwing proverbial gas on the fire of each other’s exasperations, he would always end our chats with unprompted but much-needed words of kindness, humor, and encouragement.

“I left every conversation I had with Dakota feeling valued, less alone, and re-motivated to get back into tackling whatever problems I was facing. He was an unendingly kind soul, and his cat-loving, travel-hungry, vexillology-enthusiastic presence will be deeply missed in the halls of Stewart.”

Master’s student, Seth Kannarr, said Ioanis was someone who placed high value in the power of education.

As a fellow graduate student and TA, it is a shame that Dakota will no longer be a physical part of our journey at Mizzou. However, Dakota will live on in fond memory for each of us. We will miss him, and we feel deeply for his family and friends who have lost him too young. May his soul rest. - Seth Kannarr

“From his experience teaching high schoolers to serving as a TA for ‘Regions & Nations,’ he always put his faith in the students and their ability to learn and research.

“Dakota’s passion for geography was obvious to all, and came across in his stories and experiences he would share. It is heartwarming that he got the opportunity to pursue the discipline further at his favorite university, here at Mizzou.

“As a fellow graduate student and TA, it is a shame that Dakota will no longer be a physical part of our journey at Mizzou. However, Dakota will live on in fond memory for each of us. We will miss him, and we feel deeply for his family and friends who have lost him too young. May his soul rest.”

And grad student Samuel Frimpong stated: “I really only saw Dakota during Zoom meetings in our ‘Geographic Thought’ class, as well as our ‘Research Design’ class, but every time he talked, I could tell he was genuinely happy discussing whatever he had to say. It all seemed to come from the heart, and I enjoyed hearing him laugh to himself as he discussed his ideas.”

Soren Larsen, department chair, stated: ”Dakota and I collaborated to create the first online discussion section for ‘Regions and Nations,’ which was a lot of work! We worked well together, but we operated on totally opposite timetables: I would tinker on the online modules in the afternoon and pass them off to Dakota, who would send me an email the next morning at, say, 3:58 a.m., saying he was done. Then he went to bed! Night owl, to say the least — by his own admission. Also, a huge Chiefs fan, a lover of travel and adventure, and a passionate Mizzou Tiger. We will miss him dearly.”