Mizzou made history in 2025
Dec. 22, 2025
Congratulations to the nearly 1,700 Tigers who graduated last weekend – as well as to the military officers commissioned through Mizzou Army, Air Force and Naval ROTC. We’re so proud of our newest alumni and can’t wait to see the great things you’ll accomplish next.
2025 was an incredible year at Mizzou, including milestones like the launch of our transformative Power the Roar campaign and our thrilling win over kU in the Border Showdown.
While the semester has ended, our momentum continues. We need all fans and supporters to join us in Jacksonville, Florida on December 27 for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl – where Coach Drinkwitz and the Tigers will take on the Virginia Cavaliers. We also have a special ticket offer just for Mizzou students.
Thank you to all students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters for your dedication to excellence throughout the year. I look forward to working with you to build on our success in 2026.
— Mun
Mizzou welcomes world-renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Dec. 17, 2025
We’re thrilled to host the acclaimed St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Jesse Auditorium on January 28 for a night of extraordinary music.
Featuring conductor Samuel Hollister and violinist Celeste Golden Andrews, the orchestra will perform favorite compositions including Dag Wirén’s Concert Overture, Op. 2; Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending; and Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D major, op. 43.
Through December 31, we have a special deal for those hoping to secure their tickets early (or in time for the holidays). Book through this link for 20% off and share the gift of world-class music.
I want to thank Veterans United, Missouri Arts Council, the City of Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Columbia, MO Convention and Visitors Bureau – as well as our own University Concert Series and College of Arts and Science – for helping bring this incredible experience to Columbia.
Now in its 146th year, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the country’s second-oldest orchestra and continues its mission of enriching lives through the power of music. We are honored to have the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at Mizzou, and I hope you’ll join us for this remarkable performance.
— Mun
Powering the future of rural America
Dec. 16, 2025
Last week, we hosted the inaugural roundtable and public launch of the Center for Rural Energy Security (CRES) – the nation’s first university institute dedicated to energy policy and research with a specific focus on agriculture, rural communities and rural economic development.
Led by Dr. Michael Sykuta, CRES features Mizzou faculty experts in economics, engineering, ag policy, energy policy and environmental law, among other key areas. The center unites their expertise with state energy leaders and the center’s founding partners, including Missouri Farm Bureau, Associated Electric Cooperative, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Ameren and Evergy. The roundtable was our first opportunity to share the center’s research and hear directly from partners about how our work can benefit Missouri’s energy future. CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert and Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury also shared remarks about the center’s vision and impact.
CRES is one of many ways Mizzou works with industry and government to address evolving energy needs. Our new Energy Innovation Center will drive energy research and public policy to meet rising demand. Mizzou is also home to the nation’s most powerful university research reactor, MURR – and plans are underway for an even more powerful reactor to serve as a national hub of nuclear innovation and research, NextGen MURR.
We’re grateful to CRES partners for their continued support. Together, we can create impactful solutions for abundant, secure energy that powers each Missouri community and supports our state’s top economic driver: agriculture.
— Mun
Elite scholarship awarded to Mizzou senior
Dec. 9, 2025
I’m thrilled to share that Josh Donaldson, a senior biological engineering major and Honors student, was just selected as a 2026 Marshall Scholar! The award is highly competitive, with a selection rate of about 4%.
This prestigious honor was established over 70 years ago and has enabled more than 2,000 outstanding Americans to pursue postgraduate study at universities throughout the United Kingdom. Past recipients have gone on to incredible careers, including as U.S. Supreme Court justices, members of Congress and Pulitzer Prize winners.
Earlier this year, Josh also earned the Truman Scholarship (around 8% selection rate). He previously won the Critical Language Scholarship (around 10% selection rate) and was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship.
In June, he received a Remington R. Williams Award from the University of Missouri Board of Curators. This honor recognizes Josh’s dedication to academic excellence and campus involvement, including his roles with Tiger Pantry, Truman’s Closet, the Missouri Students Association, Engineers Without Borders, Involvement Ambassadors and many other initiatives that make a difference for others.
Along the way, Josh was supported by incredible faculty and staff, as well as the MU Office of Global and National Fellowships. This campus resource helps students explore and prepare for opportunities to study around the country and world. Fellowship advisors offer one-on-one consultations as well as guidance on application materials. All students are encouraged to reach out and see how the office can help achieve their goals.
Congratulations, Josh! We can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.
— Mun
Deck the Columns spreads Mizzou cheer
Dec. 5, 2025
Yesterday, we hosted our fifth annual campuswide holiday celebration, Deck the Columns. Despite cold weather moving some activities inside Jesse Hall, we still welcomed hundreds of Mizzou students, faculty, staff and families for festive food, music and fun.
Highlights included classic seasonal songs performed by Mini Mizzou, a holiday photo opportunity with Truman the Tiger and wagon rides around Francis Quadrangle courtesy of the Mizzou College of Veterinary Medicine Mule Team.
Deck the Columns is also about giving back to others. The Mizzou United Way Campaign, Tiger Pantry and Truman’s Closet were on-site to collect donations and share their mission to support our community.
We were proud to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with fellow Tigers. Thank you to all who attended, and to the many volunteers who made this year’s Deck the Columns such a success.
— Mun
Mizzou welcomes NCAA Cross Country National Championships to Columbia
Nov. 25, 2025
This past weekend, we proudly hosted the 2025 NCAA Cross Country National Championships at Gans Creek Cross Country Course for the first time in Mizzou history. More than 6,000 fans packed the course to cheer on more than 500 student-athletes from nearly 50 universities.
The Mizzou women’s team competed for a national title for the first time since 2016. Freshman Monica Wanjiku finished 35th overall, earning All-American honors. The Tigers placed 28th in a strong field with some of the nation’s most elite competitors.
We’ve hosted several other major meets during the 2025 season, including the Gans Creek Classic.
Our cross-country facility is among the best in the country. Hosting premier tournaments elevates Mizzou Athletics and draws thousands of visitors who experience the best of the Columbia community.
We look forward to welcoming even more nationally recognized events to Gans Creek in the future.
— Mun
NPR, Boston Globe highlight Mizzou’s success in evolving higher ed landscape
Nov. 19, 2025
Mizzou research is central to the health and defense of our nation. We shared that important message of support in a recent episode of WNYC’s “On the Media,” which was broadcast on NPR. Reporter Hilary Burns visited campus and toured MURR to see firsthand the incredible impact of our radioisotope research and production.
During our interview, I also discussed the vital role of federally-funded research in advancing groundbreaking projects like MURR – and our transformative new reactor, NextGen MURR. Key to our comprehensive research success (from nuclear medicine to AI and agriculture) is working alongside elected leaders and listening to their feedback so we can best focus on our land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach.
You can listen to the latest episode here, which discusses the evolution of government-university research partnerships. Mizzou is featured around 24:00. This coverage is part of an ongoing series, “The Harvard Plan,” produced by the Boston Globe and “On the Media.”
Mizzou continues to receive incredible support from state and federal partners. By coming together – and always acting with the best interests of the university and Missouri in mind – we can make a profound difference in our state, while delivering even more impact for all.
We continue to receive national attention for our outreach on behalf of Mizzou’s research excellence, including praise for our approach adjusting to the changing landscape of higher education. It’s an honor to work with our many constituents to save and improve lives in Missouri and around the country.
— Mun
A tradition of gratitude: Saluting Whiteman AFB and our military
Nov. 19, 2025
Before last Saturday’s dominant win over Mississippi State, I had the privilege of attending the annual tailgate for Whiteman Air Force Base outside Mizzou Arena.
For 27 years, Joe and Fran Scallorns have hosted this important event, bringing together base leadership, those serving at Whiteman AFB and their families to cheer on the Tigers. It’s also a meaningful opportunity for all of Mizzou to show our tremendous gratitude to our military community.
Hundreds attended this year, including Director of Athletics Laird Veatch and Col. Timothy Griffith, Deputy Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing – the unit that operates the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. I’m deeply grateful to all the airmen who keep watch and protect our country, as well as to their families who support this vital mission.
Saturday was also Mizzou Football’s Military Appreciation game. Athletics distribute 300 free tickets to ROTC cadets and midshipmen, as well as to members of the Mizzou Student Veterans Association. The Student Veterans Association was also honored on-field during the game, along with Whiteman AFB leadership.
Mizzou is proud to recognize those who serve and to share our appreciation for their sacrifice and leadership. I also want to thank Joe and Fran for organizing another successful tailgate bringing together the Mizzou and Whiteman AFB communities.
— Mun
Honoring courage and service on Veterans Day
Nov. 12, 2025
On Monday afternoon, we recognized Veterans Day with our 99th annual wreath-laying ceremony under the Memorial Union archway. The ceremony honored the sacrifice and dedication of our Mizzou student-veterans with support from representatives of the MU Student Veterans Resource & Support Center, Navy and Army ROTC.
This year, retired Air Force Col. John Clark from Columbia shared his story of resilience and courage. Col. Clark was downed by anti-aircraft fire and subsequently captured in North Vietnam in 1967. This led to nearly six years as a prisoner of war in Hỏa Lò Prison, alongside former Senator John McCain. During this time, Col. Clark was listed as missing in action and presumed lost until nearly four years later when the first letter he wrote to his family finally arrived. He was released on February 18, 1973.
Col. Clark is a Hickman High School graduate and a Mizzou alumnus. During his remarks, he emphasized the pride and power each member of the military holds, whether serving during a time of war or peace. His book, “The Eagle Hunts,” recounts his time spent during and after capture. It is available through the MU Veterans Center.
Mizzou is committed to serving our veterans, active-duty students and their families. The MU Veterans Center offers resources, support and fellowship for military-connected students, and the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic provides free legal services for our veterans. The university is recognized as a 2025-26 Gold Award Military Friendly School and a 2025-26 Military Spouse Friendly School, representing our continued dedication to Mizzou’s military community. We are also proud that MU Veterans Center Director Keith Glindemann recently received the Ron York Meritorious Service Award from the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators, commending more than two decades of service to the veteran community.
Thank you to Col. Clark for sharing your message of bravery and commitment to others. I also want to honor and thank all Mizzou student-veterans for serving Missouri and our country.
— Mun
California Tigers unite for Power the Roar
Nov. 10, 2025
It’s been two months since we publicly launched Power the Roar – and I’m pleased to announce that Mizzou alumni and supporters have contributed an incredible $770 million toward our $2 billion goal. I’m grateful for the outpouring of support from Tigers across the country who share Mizzou’s commitment to excellence.
To continue our incredible momentum, this week I joined fellow Mizzou leaders – including Journalism Dean David Kurpius, Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury and Engineering Dean Marisa Chrysochoou – for three Power the Roar events in California. I enjoyed connecting with so many proud Tigers who used their Mizzou education to launch remarkable careers in business, journalism, the arts and technology.
In San Francisco and the Bay Area, we shared Mizzou’s groundbreaking work in emerging fields like artificial intelligence – where our students and faculty use AI to advance cybersecurity, agriculture and health care, among many other areas. In Los Angeles, we heard from accomplished alumni including Jonathan Murray, Alexis Johnson and Pulitzer Prize winner Mary McNamara, who shared how the Missouri Method prepared them to become leaders across the media industry.
I was also pleased to meet individually with dedicated alumni including Joon Bai, Dan Godar, Gretchen Myers, Madvi Raya, Price Sloan and Archie Thornton to discuss our bold vision for how Power the Roar will impact communities, empower students, win championships and prepare leaders for our state and society.
There are nearly 10,000 Mizzou alumni in Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Bay Area. I’m thankful for their strong support and enthusiasm for Power the Roar. Mizzou is back, and I enjoyed sharing the success and ambition of our Tiger community.
— Mun