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
Percussion performance puts faculty excellence center stage
Sep. 12, 2025
Earlier this week, Suzanne and I enjoyed a packed-house performance by Dr. Megan Arns, associate professor and director of percussion studies, in Sheryl Crow Hall at the Sinquefield Music Center.
Dr. Arns displayed incredible artistry, range and physical endurance while performing five world premiere works for solo percussionist by the Kinds of Kings Composer Collective in collaboration with the visual artist, XUAN. This groundbreaking project was supported by the Mizzou New Music Initiative, the Research Council and the Arts & Humanities Research and Creative Works Fellow Program.
Mizzou is a global leader in new music performance and composition. We’re proud to offer opportunities for incredible faculty like Dr. Arns to pursue creative breakthroughs that change the way we see the world. Mizzou is also home to impressive facilities like Sheryl Crow Hall and the Missouri Theatre. These are world-class venues that help faculty and students perform at the highest level and share their talents with our community.
Congratulations to Dr. Arns on a memorable performance!
— Mun
Mizzou honors Patriot Day and all who serve
Sep. 11, 2025
This morning, we came together on Carnahan Quadrangle for a solemn Patriot Day wreath-laying – recognizing the nearly 3,000 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. During the gathering, an MU Health Care helicopter conducted a ceremonial flyover, and the Reynolds Alumni Center bell tolled 24 times for the number of years since the attack.
I was honored to lay the memorial wreath with Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and to recognize Mizzou alumnus and retired Navy Capt. Jack Punches, who lost his life at the Pentagon during the attacks. Capt. Punches was commissioned through our Naval ROTC program, received a degree in civil engineering and went on to a successful and decorated career in the Navy. He was also a devoted father and active member of his community. Each year I share the story of Capt. Punches to honor his memory and his extraordinary example of service.
This moving event was held in partnership with the City of Columbia and was attended by many local first responders, including members of the Columbia Police Department, Columbia Fire Department, Boone County Fire Protection District, MUPD, Missouri Task Force 1, MU Health Care and the MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute. We were also joined by representatives from Mizzou ROTC, military and veteran communities.
It was a privilege to remember Capt. Punches and all those we lost – while acknowledging the brave men and women who serve our nation with honor. I also want to thank Mizzou College Republicans for placing 2,977 flags on Carnahan Quadrangle in memory of each victim of 9/11.
I hope today’s message of unity guides us going forward, as we work with one another and our community to build a better world.
— Mun
Advancing the life-saving mission of MURR with strong support
Sep. 10, 2025
Last Thursday, Mizzou was thrilled to celebrate the expansion of two new industry-funded facilities at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR). Together, the additions bring an incredible 30,000 square feet of space to support critical industry partnerships and manufacturing of no-carrier-added lutetium-177 – a lifesaving cancer treatment.
We were joined by over 250 attendees, including UM Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves, as well as key MURR partners in the nuclear medicine industry, including Mike Mangano, President of ABK Biomedical Inc.; Steve Ellebracht, founding principal of IsoTherapeutics and MU alum; and Dale Klein, former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and MU alum.
I’m also pleased to share that U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt just secured $5 million for MURR research and projects related to national security. This is an outstanding show of support for nuclear innovation at Mizzou and builds on our strong recent momentum, including a $40 million partnership between Mizzou, the State of Missouri and the U.S. Department of Energy to construct the Radioisotope Science Center near the future home of NextGen MURR.
These innovative partnerships with leaders in government and industry reflect the growing demand for the radioisotopes created at MURR. We’re proud to support the dedicated MURR team who work around the clock to support the health of our nation and create new opportunities for investment in Missouri.
— Mun
Introducing Power the Roar, a $2B campaign to fuel Mizzou’s future
Sep. 8, 2025
This weekend, Mizzou made history – and not just with our thrilling 42-31 victory over kU in the Border Showdown!
On Friday, we publicly launched Power the Roar, a bold $2 billion comprehensive campaign to fuel our land-grant mission and create meaningful impact for generations.
I was honored to join campaign co-chairs Paul and Lynn Ann Vogel, along with dedicated Mizzou alumni, students, faculty, staff and supporters for an evening event celebrating the campaign announcement. The night concluded with the incredible Illuminate Mizzou drone show on Carnahan Quad – sharing the energy and excitement of Power the Roar with our entire community.
This is a pivotal moment for Mizzou. Power the Roar is built around five key priorities that shape the future of Mizzou excellence.
- Educate future leaders
- Save and improve lives
- Build a sustainable world
- Strengthen communities
- Develop champions
We have the momentum to achieve success, and last year marked the highest fundraising total in university history. Prior to the public launch, we received incredible support during the campaign’s leadership phase: More than 61,000 donors contributed nearly $760 million. We’re grateful for their remarkable support and eager for even more Tigers to join us, including those who know firsthand the lifechanging power of a Mizzou education.
This campaign is about letting the world know that Mizzou makes an impact for students, for Missourians and for society. This is our time. This is our purpose. With your support, Mizzou will Power the Roar!
To learn more, visit PowerTheRoar.com and get involved today.
— Mun
‘SEC Nation’ returns for the most exciting week in Mizzou history
Sep. 5, 2025
Tomorrow is our long-awaited, sold-out rivalry game versus kU! Adding to the excitement, we’re also welcoming “SEC Nation” back to campus for the first time since 2019!
This is a historic moment, and we need your help to showcase Mizzou’s commitment to excellence and the unparalleled gameday experience across campus. Excitement kicks off at 7 a.m. with “Good Morning America” airing a live shot of fans from Carnahan Quadrangle. Full SEC Network coverage starts soon after at 8 a.m. A full schedule is available from Mizzou Athletics. All Tigers are encouraged to stop by and show your Mizzou pride.
Throughout the day, we’ll highlight Truman and Spirit Squads, the Tiger Food Pantry and Sack Hunger food drive, progress on the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project, as well as MizzouRec and other resources that support student well-being and success. Guests will include Mizzou’s very own journalism professor and Tiger alum, John Anderson.
This weekend also marks the official launch of our transformative campaign to secure Mizzou’s land-grant mission for generations. I hope you can join us this evening for “Illuminate Mizzou,” a campaign launch event that features a drone show at 9 p.m. on Carnahan Quadrangle.
This is the most exciting week in Mizzou history! I can’t wait to celebrate Mizzou’s continued momentum in the SEC and to share the impact of our incredible community with the world.
— Mun