Celebrating faculty career milestones
Oct. 20, 2025
Last week, I was proud to attend a special reception with Provost Martens that recognized 147 faculty members who received promotions during the 2024-25 academic year. More than 150 guests, including deans, administrators, family and friends gathered to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
Of those newly promoted faculty, 32 members earned tenure — an incredible milestone in one’s academic career. Nearly all academic units were represented, as well as MU Extension.
Mizzou’s world-class faculty are central to our land-grant mission of service. Their hard work and resilience get results. We were ranked the No. 4 best value flagship university in the nation according to the latest U.S. News and World Report data. Additionally, research expenditures are at an all-time high, and we’re achieving historic records for student success, including a 77% graduation rate – the best among all public universities in Missouri.
Faculty dedicate themselves to advancing their fields through years of teaching, research and meaningful engagement. Their important work benefits our university and helps save and improve lives around the world.
Congratulations again to our exceptional faculty! I am grateful for your commitment to achieving excellence and making a difference for our students and state.
— Mun
Lecture explores global influence of American democracy at 250
Oct. 15, 2025
The Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy recently welcomed world-renowned anti-apartheid leader, Judge Albie Sachs, to launch its America at 250 lecture series.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Judge Sachs emerged as a tireless advocate against apartheid. His work led to imprisonment, exile and a near-fatal car bombing. He did not respond with vengeance, but instead with a belief that justice is the path to healing. After apartheid ended, he played a pivotal role in drafting South Africa’s democratic constitution and was appointed by Nelson Mandela to the country’s first Constitutional Court.
Judge Sachs is a great friend to the University of Missouri. He’s visited campus before to share stories of hope, courage, resiliency and personal agency to make a difference. He’s also been part of our nearly 40-year partnership with the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2019, we were proud to award Judge Sachs an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Mizzou.
Before his recent lecture, he also had an opportunity to visit with Mizzou Law students and discuss the influence of the U.S. Constitution on democracy globally.
The Kinder Institute is the country’s leading organization dedicated to the study of American constitutional democracy. The America at 250 lecture series celebrates our nation’s founding while advancing Kinder’s decade-long mission to foster interdisciplinary engagement with democratic values. In the months ahead, we’ll host seven additional America at 250 lectures to further enrich our understanding of the principles that shape our country.
I’m grateful to Judge Sachs for returning to campus and sharing his important message.
— Mun
‘SEC Nation’ makes second Mizzou visit this season
Oct. 10, 2025
The momentum at Mizzou is undeniable! For the second time in five weeks, we’re welcoming “SEC Nation” back to campus for a top 15 showdown, as our No. 14 Tigers compete in a sold-out game against the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Tomorrow, we need your help to show our Tiger pride to the nation. The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with “Marty & McGee” followed by “SEC Nation” airing from 9-11 a.m. located in the Walsworth Plaza outside of Mizzou Arena. The full schedule and additional information is available from Mizzou Athletics.
Mizzou keeps reaching new heights on the field and with our Memorial Stadium Centennial Project. Our fundraising goals are on track with nearly $100 million raised as of September thanks to many dedicated Tiger fans and supporters. On Sept. 23, we celebrated the final steel beam installation with a Topping Off Ceremony. Premium suites, concourse loges and club seating are also close to selling out.
This Saturday is another outstanding opportunity to showcase Mizzou’s commitment to excellence and dominance in the SEC. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow to cheer on our Tigers! M-I-Z!
— Mun
Flagship Council marks 20 years of supporting Mizzou
Oct. 9, 2025
This week, I was pleased to attend a reception at the Chancellor’s Residence celebrating the 20th anniversary of Flagship Council. More than 100 guests – including current and former members, as well as MU administrators and local legislators – gathered to recognize the group’s remarkable two decades of advocacy for Mizzou’s land-grant mission.
Flagship Council is a private organization founded in 2005 to communicate the value of Mizzou to state leaders and to help the university achieve excellence. Through their outreach, Flagship Council members have helped realize transformative initiatives, including the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building, along with supporting growth at MURR and the development of NextGen MURR.
Their advocacy recently contributed to another record year of state support, including key investments in NextGen MURR and Extension.
The reception brought together many phenomenal Mizzou supporters, including Richard Mendenhall, the first chair of Flagship Council, along with current chair-elect Jason Andrews.
Flagship Council members are important champions of teaching, research and meaningful engagement on Mizzou’s campus and beyond. I’m grateful for their commitment to the Tiger community.
— Mun
Honoring an award-winning student composer
Oct. 3, 2025
Last night, I attended a special award dinner honoring Mizzou student Dean Wibe, winner of the prestigious 2026 Sinquefield Composition Prize. Dean graduated last spring with his Master’s of Music in Cello Performance from Mizzou and is now pursuing his Master’s in Music Composition.
I enjoyed congratulating Dean and learning more about his composition process, including the inspiration he takes from nature. Also present was Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, who – along with her husband Rex Sinquefield and the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation – developed this award to support emerging student composers at Mizzou. We were joined by Provost Matthew Martens, College of Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury and other leaders from the School of Music and Mizzou Advancement.
As the 21st Sinquefield Composition Prize winner, Dean will receive a scholarship as well as a commission to create a new work for the Mizzou Wind Ensemble. His original composition will premiere at the Chancellor’s Arts Showcase next spring.
Thanks to the dedication and generosity of the Sinquefields, Mizzou is a global center for new music composition. From world-class faculty to innovative programing like the Mizzou New Music Initiative and the Sinquefield Composition Prize, we support creative excellence and the ambitions of our talented community.
— Mun
Mizzou sets the pace for cross country excellence
Sep. 30, 2025
On Friday, Mizzou was proud to host the annual Gans Creek Classic at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course. Now in its seventh year, the meet continues to position Columbia as a premier destination for cross country competition.
More than 1,500 runners participated across six races in high school and collegiate divisions. The event drew nearly 90 squads from around the country, including more than 20 top-ranked university and college teams, as well as last year’s NCAA champions and runners-up.
Among so many world-class competitors, the Mizzou Women’s team delivered a strong eighth-place finish in the 5,000-meter race, while the Men’s team secured twelfth place in the 8,000-meter race. Both placed ahead of many highly ranked teams. Mizzou freshman Monica Wanjiku finished eleventh overall, one of the top showings among all freshmen.
The Tigers’ season continues on October 16 with the Pre-National Invitational, also held at Gans Creek. Then in November, we welcome the best in the nation as we host the 2025 NCAA Cross Country National Championship.
I want to thank Cross Country Head Coach Brett Halter for the invitation to attend and congratulate all our student-athletes on their hard work and success!
— Mun
Mizzou Homecoming answers the Call of the Columns
Sep. 25, 2025
This weekend, we’re thrilled to welcome alumni and supporters back to campus for Mizzou’s 114th Homecoming!
Mizzou Homecoming remains the first and the best in the nation. We’re ready to cheer on our Tigers as they take on the UMass Minutemen in a sold-out Memorial Stadium, and to host a weekend full of activities that recognize the accomplishments of our community. Visit the Mizzou Alumni Association for a full schedule of events.
Among the many highlights, on Friday we’ll recognize two remarkable examples of Tiger excellence during a ceremony for the Mizzou Hall of Fame Class of 2025. This year’s inductees are:
• Raymond Kowalik, former chairman & CEO of Burns & McDonnell
• and Robert J. Trulaske, Sr., founder & CEO of True Manufacturing Company and the namesake of our Trulaske College of Business
We’re proud to honor their lasting legacies at Mizzou and share their incredible examples of innovation and service.
This year’s Homecoming theme is Call of the Columns, a celebration of the people and traditions that define Mizzou, as well as the many ways we give back to others. With more than 370,000 alumni making a difference across Missouri and around the world, we’re proud to bring our community together and support our university’s life-changing impact.
— Mun
Memorial Stadium topping off marks milestone
Sep. 23, 2025
Last Friday, I had the honor of joining Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, First Lady Claudia Kehoe and so many incredible Mizzou supporters for the topping off of our Memorial Stadium Centennial Project. As part of the ceremony, each attendee had an opportunity to sign the final beam before it was moved into place – marking a significant construction milestone.
Mizzou Football is off to another historic start. We’re 4-0, ranked No. 20 in the country and we beat kU in a thrilling home game. The nation is taking notice. Our win against South Carolina proved once again that we’re a powerhouse in the SEC. Our enhancements to Memorial Stadium will continue to elevate our university, while still respecting our proud Tiger legacy and traditions.
We’re deeply grateful to Governor and First Lady Kehoe for their support of the Mizzou community. We also have strong leadership from Chair Todd Graves and the University of Missouri Board of Curators, who believe in achieving excellence in everything we do. I also want to recognize our outstanding Director of Athletics Laird Veatch, Football Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz and our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to bringing championships home to Missouri.
It’s exciting to see so much progress, and I can’t wait for the facility to be completed ahead of our 2026 season!
— Mun
Mizzou community rallies support for United Way
Sep. 17, 2025
On Tuesday, we proudly launched our annual campuswide campaign to support the Heart of Missouri United Way. Our ambitious goals build on past successes and create new opportunities to advance United Way’s important mission.
The Heart of Missouri United Way invests more than $2 million annually to support the health, education and well-being of every person in Columbia and beyond. Nearly a fourth of all local residents benefit from their work, which unites organizations and resources to create lasting change and build an even stronger community.
During last year’s campaign, Mizzou students, faculty, staff and retirees raised more than $500,000. This year, we’re coming together to once again raise $500,000 and involve at least 1,200 supporters – setting a new record for participation. We’re off to a great start, with more than $3,000 contributed the first day.
The campaign runs until Friday, December 12. Please visit the campaign website to show your support, and thank you for making a difference for our friends and neighbors.
— Mun
Ribbon cutting launches 2025 Homecoming Blood Drive
Sep. 16, 2025
Yesterday, I stopped by MizzouRec for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the official start of our 42nd annual Homecoming Blood Drive!
This initiative is one of the largest student-run blood drives in the nation. In 2024, we collected nearly 5,000 units of blood! I know we can continue to make a difference this year and grow our impact.
The blood drive runs through this Thursday, September 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Appointments are encouraged by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering sponsor code MIZZOU. Walk-ins are also welcome.
The blood drive is one of many Homecoming events Mizzou students organize to give back and unite our community leading up to our September 27 game against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen.
I want to thank the student members of the Blood Drive Committee and the entire Homecoming Steering Committee. Your hard work brings pride to Tigers everywhere.
— Mun