A dream worth having: 40 years of partnership with University of the Western Cape

Sep. 16, 2026

Yesterday, we held a special celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the University of Missouri South African Education Program (UMSAEP), our historic collaboration with the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The event built on the success of a similar celebration held in Cape Town earlier this year and honored the program’s impact across generations of scholars and students.

UMSAEP was launched in 1986 as a bold initiative to invest in educational partnerships that benefit both universities and the communities they serve. I was proud to recognize this remarkable history and the trailblazing figures who shaped its success across four decades.

I want to thank the many leaders from UWC who made the trip to Missouri for our celebration, including UWC Rector and Vice Chancellor Robert Balfour, who provided remarks, as well as Advisor to the Rector Shaun Pather, Director of International Relations Tasmeera Rajcoomar Singh, Deputy Dean Carolien van den Berg, Dean Rajendran Govender, Dean David Holgate, Dean Fatima Moolla, Dean Anita Padmanabhanunni and Dean Jeff Yengopal.

We were also honored to welcome distinguished guests from our campus community, including University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves, former UM System President Michael Middleton and First Lady Julie Middleton.

Featured speakers included the partnership’s founding director, Dr. Ron Turner, its current director, Professor Rod Uphoff, and Dr. Mary Stegmaier, vice provost for international programs.

I also want to acknowledge the members of the Board of Curators at the time of UMSAEP’s founding, including Doug Russell, Tom Smith, W.H. “Bert” Bates, Jeanne Epple, James Anderson, Eva Frazer, John Lichtenegger, Peter Raven and Ed Turner, as well as former President of the UM System C. Peter Magrath and former UWC Rectors Jakes Gerwel and Tyrone Pretorius. Their vision for UMSAEP continues to serve as a model for how universities can build and sustain long-term, successful partnerships.

Our commitment to collaboration has resulted in transformative research across more than 40 disciplines as well as hundreds of life-changing student exchanges. At our on-campus celebration, scholars from all four UM campuses and UWC showcased the impact of UMSAEP projects in health sciences, food security, nursing and agriculture, among other important areas.

UMSAEP continues to thrive thanks to the many faculty, students and leaders who are committed to building relationships that bridge continents and make a lasting impact in both countries. I’m thrilled to see what we will achieve in the next 40 years and beyond.

— Mun

On the offensive against rare disease

Sep. 14, 2026

John Ruth, BSBA ’08, is a Mizzoumade leader and former student-athlete. Starting out as a Tiger Football walk-on, he helped his team secure a Cotton Bowl victory in 2008 before graduating and launching a successful finance career. He and his wife Kasey, BSEd ’08, started their family in John’s hometown of Jefferson City, where they welcomed their daughter, Kamdyn, in 2013.

After Kamdyn was born and following years of genetic testing, the family learned she had an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental disorder called Baker-Gordon Syndrome, a mutation of the SYT1 gene and also known as SYT1-Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Determined to find answers and help others also navigating a rare disease diagnosis, the Ruths established the Genetic Autism Alliance nonprofit to accelerate therapeutic research for genetic disorders. They also looked to their alma mater, where the commitment to excellence inspires achievements across the university, from wins on the field to transformative discoveries in research.

Now, uniting the Ruths’ passion, Mizzou’s world-class faculty and significant support from Missouri leaders, we’re launching an extraordinary initiative that will save and improve countless lives, including those of Missouri’s youngest patients.

Thanks to an incredible $10 million investment from the State of Missouri and the support of the Genetic Autism Alliance, we are pleased to announce the Center for Translational Neurogenetics. Led by Mizzou physician and researcher Dr. David Arnold, executive director of the NextGen Precision Health initiative, this new center further establishes Mizzou as a national hub of breakthrough therapies for the rarest diseases.

Dr. Arnold was recruited to Mizzou from Ohio State University and is among the top neuroscience researchers in the country. As part of an international research team, he was recently the first physician in the world to deliver a pioneering new ALS therapy for an MU Health Care patient, and he will continue to break new ground with the Center for Translational Neurogenetics.

Using NextGen’s state-of-the-art resources, our faculty will create rapid, scalable treatments for rare diseases, including Baker-Gordon Syndrome. Bringing together Mizzou’s proven strengths in translational research and the latest in gene therapy, the center will deliver faster diagnoses while also developing tailored care that isn’t available anywhere else.

John, Kasey and their family are thrilled at what will be achieved through the Center for Translational Neurogenetics and the hope it offers for the 1 in 10 people affected by a rare disease. Mizzou is proud to uphold our land-grant mission by advancing excellence in research that helps kids, and all Missourians, lead happy, healthy lives.

— Mun

Mizzou community honors 25th anniversary of Sept. 11

Sep. 10, 2026

Throughout the week, members of campus and our local community came together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, honoring those lost while also reflecting on the many incredible examples of service.

On Sept. 8, we were proud to host a screening of “The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11,” a new film directed by filmmaker Michael Gier and narrated by Gary Sinise that examines the extraordinary acts of courage and unity that followed the attacks. Nearly 600 attendees, including many from our military and ROTC communities, gathered at Jesse Auditorium. The event was coordinated and co-hosted by the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, and I want to thank dedicated supporters Bill and Nancy Thompson, who are among the film’s executive producers and helped bring this important work to campus.

Earlier today, we continued our solemn Patriot Day tradition of laying a wreath in Traditions Plaza to honor the nearly 3,000 Sept. 11 victims. The program brought together leaders from Mizzou and the City of Columbia, as well as local first responders, veterans and members of Mizzou’s military community.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant university, we are honored to support those who dedicate their lives to service, including members of the military and first responders. Both events were powerful reminders of a defining moment in our country’s history and of our enduring dedication to making a difference for Missouri and our nation.

— Mun

Journalism’s gold standard since 1908

Sep. 7, 2026

The Missouri School of Journalism, the first and best in the world, was founded on Sept. 14, 1908, by its first dean and Mizzou legend, Walter Williams. It opened with 64 enrolled students including 53 freshmen. Thanks to Williams’ vision, this year the J-School welcomed more than 1,700 total undergraduates. Next week, we’ll celebrate his enduring legacy and the school’s 118-year tradition of excellence on Founder’s Day.  

Williams was a Boonville native and pioneer in journalism education who also wrote the “Journalist’s Creed” to ensure the highest standards at Mizzou and across the profession. For well over a century, J-School faculty have built upon Williams’ dedication to trust and integrity, while helping students launch extraordinary careers using the Missouri Method of hands-on learning.

Mizzou alumni serve in prestigious roles at leading news organizations and communications agencies across the country. Hanna Battah, BJ ’15, got her start at Mizzou’s NBC-affiliate KOMU 8 before becoming co-anchor of ABC News’ “World News Now” and “Good Morning America First Look.” Fellow alum Kenton Gewecke, BS ’17, worked as chief meteorologist at KOMU and is now on the meteorology team at ABC News, including “Good Morning America.” Kenton and Hanna appear on “GMA” and “ABC News Live” in front of millions of viewers.

Our students and alumni are also among the most accomplished in the field, including more than 75 Pulitzer Prize winners. Among them is Laine Cibulskis, BJ ’26, who won with a team from The New York Times during her senior year at Mizzou. Additionally, new faculty member and recent alum Lisa Krantz, PhD ’24, earned the award the same year she completed her doctorate at Mizzou. 

From Walter Williams to today’s world-class faculty, Mizzou leads the way and prepares our students to make an impact. We are grateful to alumni across our 13 schools and colleges who provide their own examples of excellence and pave the way forward for the next generation.

— Mun

A new championship era begins at Memorial Stadium

Aug. 31, 2026

This is the week Tigers have been waiting for! 

Tomorrow is the Mizzou Day of Celebration, where we’ll recognize our generous supporters and mark historic investments in student success, research and engagement, while showing the world our remarkable momentum. 

As part of the day’s many highlights, we’re celebrating a ribbon cutting for the $260 million Memorial Stadium Centennial Project. The home of Tiger Football now stands among the best in the SEC. Modern upgrades, including an incredible North End Zone, honor Tiger traditions while providing student-athletes and fans an excellent gameday experience worthy of a powerhouse program.

The excitement continues Thursday when Mizzou takes on the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions for Kickoff in CoMo. Coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers are ranked #25 in the country and are ready to dominate all season long. Alumna Sheryl Crow (BS Ed ’84) will perform the National Anthem. 

But that’s not all. Alumni are also invited to our Sept. 19 Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary Game, where we’ll commemorate a century of Tiger football and look forward to a new era of excellence. Tigers will wear throwback uniforms that honor generations of Mizzou greats as they take on the Troy Trojans. We’ll also celebrate the long-overdue recognition of the 1960 Tiger team as national champions, following a unanimous resolution in the U.S. Senate introduced by Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt. 

In connection with a landmark season, a special 100th anniversary collection is available for fans. I’m also honored to provide a foreword to a centennial book documenting the history of Memorial Stadium and featuring rare photos and unforgettable highlights. Look for the collection and book this fall in the new Tiger Team Store in the North End Zone. 

Once you’re geared up for the new season, be sure to share your Mizzou spirit during Black and Gold Fridays. Each Friday throughout the season, all fans are invited to show that Mizzou pride runs deep in every corner of Missouri and wherever Tigers live and make a difference. 

We’re ready to continue our momentum on the field and beyond as we win championships, drive impactful discoveries and prepare future leaders for success, all while bringing pride to Missourians and Tiger fans everywhere. See you at Memorial Stadium!

— Mun

Tigers get involved to make a difference 

Aug. 30, 2026

Last week, we welcomed more than 9,000 new students to campus. As the Fall semester begins, the Mizzou community is ready to support their success by creating opportunities for all Tigers to get involved and start the year off strong. 

Today marks the beginning of Involvement Week, highlighting over 650 recognized student organizations and opportunities to join fraternity and sorority life, club sports or another organization for students to explore. Across events including today’s Get Involved Fair, tomorrow’s Volunteer Fair and next week’s Study Abroad Fair, Tigers connect with each other and learn through hands-on experiences and meaningful engagement.

Mizzou is also a leader in undergraduate research opportunities, where students work alongside our world-class faculty to make a difference through discovery. Programs such as BioFLARE and Freshmen Research in Plants engage students in groundbreaking innovations and train a new generation to lead their fields. Mizzou’s Office of Undergraduate Research is ready to offer research support and mentorship.

We also prepare Tigers to compete for the nation’s top research honors. Through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) Sprint, offered by our Office of Global and National Fellowships, students strengthen their applications for the prestigious NSF GRFP and position themselves for success in graduate school and as researchers. 

At Mizzou, there are countless ways for students to get involved and develop the connections and skills they need to achieve excellence. I can’t wait to see what our Tigers achieve this semester.

— Mun

Transforming lives with the Thompson Center

Aug. 27, 2026

As we kick off another exciting semester, we’re also celebrating the growth of the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment, which marked the grand opening of their new facility in May.

Already, the expanded Thompson Center is making a remarkable impact. The center recorded more than 21,000 patient visits and nearly 1,000 autism evaluations last fiscal year. Both are new records and are expected to increase in the year ahead. The waitlist for services has also decreased by 50%.

The team at the Thompson Center continues to change lives through breakthrough research and community outreach. In the last year, faculty published 35 impactful research articles, and staff trained more than 1,100 professionals through the Autism Friendly Business initiative. Beyond the numbers, the Thompson Center team is driven to make a difference, while setting a world-class standard of care.

We remain deeply grateful for the visionary leadership of Bill and Nancy Thompson, as well as the Thompson Foundation for Autism & Neurodevelopment, the State of Missouri and all supporters. The Thompsons saw the importance of this new facility and its transformative potential for our community. Their incredible dedication is changing lives and creating new opportunities for the next generation.

With the support of the Thompsons and the entire Thompson Center community, we are proud to meet the needs of families in Missouri and beyond.

— Mun

Alumni Power the Roar with historic results 

Aug. 24, 2026

Momentum for Mizzou’s historic fundraising campaign, Power the Roar, is undeniable. Though publicly launched just a year ago, I’m excited to share that Tigers have already contributed $1.1 billion towards our $2 billion goal!

The new fiscal year just started, and we’re already on track for another record thanks to two recent signature gifts.

We’re honored that longtime supporters Rich Kinder (BA ’66, JD ’68) and Nancy Kinder have contributed an additional $25 million to grow the important work of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy. Their latest gift brings the Kinders’ total lifetime support of the university to $85 million. Then next week on Sept. 2, as part of our Mizzou Day of Celebration, we’ll announce an incredible $50 million gift from David Payne (BS EE ’83) to transform engineering education and research.

Also on Sept. 2, we’ll hold a grand-opening for the $260 million Memorial Stadium Centennial Project, ground-breaking for the $150 million Energy Innovation Center  and pep rally for the entire Tiger community that celebrates the excitement and momentum of Power the Roar. I’ll share additional details about the Mizzou Day of Celebration events in next week’s email.

Power the Roar is an investment in excellence and drives meaningful progress in five priority pillars: educate future leaders, save and improve lives, build a resilient world, strengthen communities and develop champions. We’ve already received support from more than 70,000 donors around the world, and the number continues to grow.

Thank you for your dedication to Mizzou’s land-grant mission. With your help and ongoing support, we’ll continue to break new ground and make an extraordinary impact for our students and society.

— Mun

Our land-grant mission in action

Aug. 20, 2026

Mizzou’s impact reaches every community in Missouri. Throughout the summer, I’ve had the honor of seeing the difference we make firsthand at events across our great state.

I recently traveled to Portageville in Missouri’s Bootheel to celebrate the annual Fisher Delta Appreciation Breakfast and Field Day. The event featured U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt, Congressman Jason Smith, Governor Mike Kehoe, State Senator Jason Bean, Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn, Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins and University of Missouri Curator John Raines, among many other state, community and university leaders. Our Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center is a world-class resource for producers in the Bootheel, and we continue to make great progress on the Roy Blunt Soil Testing and Research Laboratory. When completed, the facility will offer the very best resources for producers in the region and make a difference for the local economy and workforce.

Last week, we kicked off the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia with Mizzou Day, including a full schedule of exciting Tiger-themed events and announcements. Alongside Governor Kehoe, we celebrated a ribbon-cutting for the transformed 4-H Building on the fairgrounds and announced the game-changing new 4-H Mizzou Ready program, which provides guaranteed admission to Mizzou for qualified 4-H members. Missouri 4-H is a program of MU Extension, and this pathway program recognizes that 4-H members have the drive, resilience and leadership skills to succeed on campus. We’re proud to create even more opportunities for students across the state to earn a Mizzou degree and lead their communities.

Earlier this month, we celebrated the life and legacy of Congressman Jerry Litton at the Litton Legacy of Dreams 50^th Anniversary in Chillicothe. The event was sponsored by the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation, Mizzou and CAFNR.

I was pleased to participate in the program alongside Congressman Sam Graves, Director Chinn, former President of the University of Missouri Board of Curators Ed Turner and Litton Leadership Scholars alum Carley McLean. The late Congressman Litton was a proud Mizzou alum, a pioneer of cattle genetics and a prominent voice for rural Missourians. His legacy lives on throughout the state, including here on campus with the Litton Leadership Scholars, which supports the next generation of ag leaders.

Agriculture is central to who we are as the state’s flagship, land-grant university. Through partnerships and outreach across Missouri, we continue to support producers, invest in future leaders and work each day to meet the needs of all we serve.

— Mun

Mizzou Tigers are First Class

Aug. 17, 2026

For generations of alumni, Welcome Week traditions like Paint the M and First Roar introduced them to what makes our community a special place. Building on that legacy, this year we’re excited to include a new Welcome Week tradition for incoming students: First Class.

First Class is an academic convocation, highlighting the resources and support available to help Tigers succeed on their Mizzou journey. Some of you may remember a more traditional ceremony from years past. At this year’s newly reimagined ceremony held in Hearnes Center, students will hear from university leaders, along with a special keynote address from Mizzou alum David Novak, BJ ’74, co-founder and retired chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands. David and his family have made major investments in the next generation of Mizzou leaders by establishing the Novak Leadership Institute, the world’s first center dedicated to strategic communication-based leadership, available to students of all majors. His path from campus to global business leader shows the power and possibilities of a Mizzou degree.

The event will be emceed by two distinguished student leaders, seniors Tyson Ellison and Hailey Hester. Tyson is a broadcast journalism major from Boonville, Missouri, who contributes to KOMU 8 and the Tiger Kickoff Show and has interned with NBCUniversal. Hailey is a broadcast journalism major and Honors College student from McKinney, Texas, who serves as an anchor for KOMU 8, a member of the Alumni Association Student Board and vice president of recruitment for the Phi Mu chapter at Mizzou.

Hailey, Tyson and David all prove that Mizzou is where leaders are made, and they provide incredible examples of the life-changing opportunities available to our incoming students.

Marching Mizzou will also perform throughout the ceremony, along with special remarks from Director of Marching Mizzou and alum Dr. Amy M. Knopps, BS Ed ’01. All alumni are invited to join the livestream of First Class on Aug. 23 starting at 2 p.m.

No matter where their Mizzou education takes them, Tigers are dedicated to leadership, service and excellence. As we begin a new academic year, I am proud to welcome our incoming students at First Class, and I look forward to seeing how they make a difference on campus and beyond.

— Mun