Throughout this week, Mizzou was proud to showcase our ongoing investments in the workforce, health and economy of Springfield, as well as all rural communities in southwest Missouri and beyond.

On Wednesday, we celebrated the ribbon cutting for our new Mizzou campus in Springfield, home of a recently expanded School of Medicine program that will host students for all four years of their medical education. The campus also serves as a hub to introduce medical students to incredible opportunities to work in rural communities, helping create a pipeline of physicians to address a critical need for our state. 

Highlighting our strong local support and partnerships, we were joined by many community leaders, including Missouri Senators Sandy Crawford and Lincoln Hough, Missouri Representatives Bill Owen and Melanie Stinnett, Springfield Mayor Jeff Schrag, Greene County Commissioner John C. Russell, as well as representatives from the offices of Senator Josh Hawley, Congressman Bob Onder and Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. 

Also in attendance were our health care partners, including CoxHealth CEO & President Max Buetow and Mercy Springfield Communities President John Myers, along with Springfield Chamber President Matt Morrow and members of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, including Chair Todd Graves, Vice Chair Bob Blitz and Curators Emeriti Fred Hall and Sean McGinnis. 

Following the Board of Curators meeting on Thursday, we gathered with alumni and supporters for the next stop of Power the Roar at Finley Farms and the Ozark Mill, a historic local landmark preserved by Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris. 

Attendees heard directly from leaders about how we are advancing our land-grant mission and Power the Roar’s transformative impact across the state, including in Springfield. We were also joined by special guest Dr. David Barbe, a Mizzoumade® leader who served as a family medicine physician for more than 40 years in and around Mountain Grove, Missouri.  

Greene County is home to nearly 500 Mizzou students and 4,000 alumni. With the support of community members and dedicated Tigers, we’re proud to expand our footprint in the Springfield region and make an even greater difference for those we serve. 

— Mun