I was thrilled to return to Chicago for the latest stop of our nationwide Power the Roar campaign. Less than a year after publicly launching this historic effort to support Mizzou’s future, we’ve already raised more than $940 million thanks to dedicated Tigers in Chicago and across the country.

Among our exceptional alumni in attendance was Bill Baker, a consulting partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) LLP who is widely regarded as one of the most important living structural engineers. His groundbreaking work enabled the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, to exceed the previous record by more than 1,000 feet. He was also the lead structural engineer for the award-winning 800 Fulton Market, where our Chicago event was held.

We were also joined by Jason Liu, whose father, Dr. Henry Liu, taught civil engineering at Mizzou for more than 20 years. Before his passing, Dr. Liu helped develop a new type of fly ash brick, a building brick made from a waste by-product of coal power plants. Jason’s wife, Patricia Carl, is a Mizzou alumna who has held HR leadership positions with H&R Block, Career Education Corporation and FTD Companies.

As part of the event program, around 80 alums heard from College of Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury and Mizzou Chess Head Coach and Grandmaster Cristian Chirilă about the team’s historic season and how we continue to develop champions who are ready to excel in competition and in life.

It was great to be back in Chicago with so many fellow Tigers and to share our ambitious vision for Mizzou’s future.

— Mun