President Choi’s Blog
Growing Mizzou’s momentum with our Phoenix alumni
Feb. 19, 2025
Last week, we were in Phoenix to celebrate Mizzou’s incredible momentum with our loyal Arizona alumni. I enjoyed connecting with around 100 Tigers to share our historic achievements, including more than 25,000 applications (and counting) for the upcoming semester, our nearly 93% retention rate and $508 million in research expenditures.
Guests had the chance to participate in hands-on demonstrations of our innovative teaching and research. A special keynote also focused on the impact of the University of Missouri Research Reactor and our plans to build a new, state-of-the-art research reactor, NextGen MURR. From MU’s campus to patients in Missouri, Arizona and beyond – MURR ensures our nation has a reliable domestic supply of critical cancer-fighting radioisotopes. Our alumni asked great questions, and we enjoyed sharing our bold ambition to remain a global leader in nuclear medicine.
We also met with key Mizzou supporters, including Ben and Carolyn Thomas, Don Downing, James and Rhonda White and Dr. Reuben Merideth. We had an opportunity to discuss an exciting vision for the university and how this vision honors the rich history of our institution. We are grateful for their incredible commitment to Mizzou and their partnership to advance our mission of excellence.
Mizzou has more than 362,000 alumni worldwide – including nearly 2,800 in the Phoenix area – and we’re one of the nation’s top universities for future leaders. I enjoyed meeting with so many accomplished alumni.
Their success is powerful proof of Mizzou’s lifechanging impact.
— Mun
Women’s Swimming and Diving team earns top distinction
Feb. 14, 2025
As we cheer on our Mizzou Women’s Swimming and Diving team at next week’s SEC Championships, I want to congratulate the team on earning the highest GPA (3.86) in all Division 1! The team also received Scholar All-America honors and includes 16 student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA, the most among any Mizzou team.
This is an outstanding accomplishment for our student-athletes and all of Mizzou Athletics. Mizzou Women’s Swimming and Diving exemplifies the dedication of our student-athletes as they compete for championships and achieve excellence. Congratulations again to Head Coach Andrew Grevers and his team.
The dominance of Mizzou Athletics is indisputable, and we have the accolades to back it up. Whether in the water, on the court, on the field, or in the classroom, our Tigers continue to be top competitors.
— Mun
Mizzou makes a difference with United Way
Feb. 12, 2025
This week, we celebrated the incredible success of our 2024 United Way campaign and the hard work of more than 100 campaign ambassadors. Ambassadors gathered in Jesse Hall for a celebratory breakfast recognizing their important outreach and impact.
Awards were also distributed for those who showed special dedication to the campaign. MU Baseball received the Dream Team Award for their commitment to collaboration. The Unity Award went to the College of Health Sciences for their team-wide support and was accepted by Dean Kristofer Hagglund. MU Data Analytics received the Gracious Giving Award for their strong campaign participation, and I was proud to accept on their behalf.
MU faculty, retirees, staff, students and UM System employees have partnered with our local Heart of Missouri United Way for more than 75 years to give back and improve lives. This year, we received an amazing $506,892 from 931 pledges – surpassing our $500,000 goal. So much of our success is because of the many ambassadors who promoted the campaign in units across campus and throughout the community.
The Heart of Missouri United Way advances programs that make a difference to local families and those who most need our support. Thank you to all who participated and showed Mizzou’s dedication to serving others.
— Mun
Celebrating 115 years of Scouting America
Feb. 7, 2025
Tomorrow, we join scouts and supporters around the country in celebrating Scouting America’s 115th anniversary! Mizzou is a longtime partner of Scouting America, and we are proud to help them impact the next generation – including our local scouts in the Great Rivers Council.
Each year since 2010, we have collaborated with Scouting America to host Mizzou Merit Badge University. From across the state and region, over 1,000 scouts visit our campus to earn merit badges by attending courses that reflect the range of hands-on programs offered at Mizzou. The topics range from robotics and space exploration to art and citizenship. Many are taught by our world-class faculty and graduate students.
Congratulations to Scouting America for this remarkable achievement! We look forward to many more years of working together to prepare bold leaders for our state and nation.
— Mun
Sharing Mizzou excellence with the Higher Learning Commission
Feb. 5, 2025
Earlier this week, I was pleased to meet with external reviewers from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC team was on campus conducting a site visit for our 10-year reaccreditation, which evaluates and recognizes the quality of our university programs.
The HLC held numerous listening sessions with stakeholders across campus, including curators and senior leaders, as well as faculty, students and staff representing all 13 Mizzou schools and colleges. Together, participants discussed Mizzou’s progress since the last accreditation visit and opportunities for continued growth in support of institutional excellence.
At Mizzou, we are driven to deliver our land-grant mission of service and make a difference as Missouri’s flagship university. A commitment to HLC accreditation shows our dedication to world-class teaching, groundbreaking research and meaningful engagement. We were proud to share our community with the HLC and the many ways we promote student success, support faculty excellence and impact our state.
— Mun
USS Missouri crew members visit Mizzou
Jan. 30, 2025
We were recently joined on campus by crew members from the USS Missouri fast-attack submarine: Commander Gieorag “G” Andrews, Senior Chief Robert Weaver and Petty Officer Colten L. Schmidt.
As part of their visit, both AD Veatch and I hosted the crew at Mizzou Arena to watch our Men’s Basketball team defeat Ole Miss. During the game, they also received a special on-court recognition, alongside Bruce Loewenberg, a dedicated Mizzou supporter who has served on the Commissioning Committee for the USS Missouri.
The delegation also met with Naval ROTC faculty and midshipmen in the College of Engineering to discuss their work and the importance of the USS Missouri to our nation’s security. After several days on campus, the crew members traveled to Jefferson City to meet with Gov. Mike Kehoe and attend the State of the State address.
Mizzou is proud to support all who keep our country safe, including veterans, active-duty military and ROTC cadets and midshipmen. I want to thank the entire crew of the USS Missouri for their service and example of leadership.
— Mun
CAFNR graduate recognized at State of the State
Jan. 29, 2025
I was honored to attend Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s first State of the State address and to hear him especially acknowledge a recent Mizzou alumna.
Gov. Kehoe recognized Addie Thessen, a 2024 CAFNR graduate with a degree in plant sciences with an emphasis in crop management. Addie is from Taos, Missouri and from an early age pursued her interest in agriculture, including through FFA and Missouri 4-H (an MU Extension program). Using her Mizzou degree, Addie now works on her family farm and in precision agriculture – advancing innovations that benefit local producers. Gov. Kehoe included her among the next generation of Missouri’s agricultural leaders.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant university, it’s our mission to prepare Tigers like Addie to make a difference. We share Gov. Kehoe’s support for agriculture – as well as workforce development and securing a strong future for Missouri. We’re proud to work alongside Gov. Kehoe and all our state’s elected officials to impact each Missouri community.
— Mun
Tiger spirit in Newport Beach
Jan. 24, 2025
As the new year begins, we continue our series of exciting alumni events that celebrate Mizzou’s incredible impact and ambition. This week, nearly 90 Tigers turned out for a seaside gathering in Newport Beach, California. We were joined by many notable guests, including members of the Shelden family, whose parents endowed the groundbreaking Shelden Clinical Simulation Center.
An inspiring keynote was provided by MU College of Engineering Dean Marisa Chrysochoou. Dean Chrysochoou shared Mizzou’s strong support for neurodiverse communities and the ways we leverage AI to make a difference for people in Missouri and around the world. Representatives from the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, the University of Missouri Research Reactor and the Shelden Clinical Simulation Center were available to provide interactive demonstrations of our work in these important fields.
As guests in the Los Angeles area, we were also sensitive to the numerous residents – including Tiger students and alumni – impacted by the ongoing fires. We were honored that so many still chose to attend and show their support for Mizzou. University leadership was proud to make contributions to causes benefiting those affected.
I enjoyed seeing fellow Tigers and hearing what makes them passionate about Mizzou.
— Mun
Thanking our dedicated Campus Facilities staff
Jan. 17, 2025
On Thursday, I joined Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Facilities Michael Graves in hosting a thank-you lunch for the crews who kept campus safe during the recent winter weather. In addition to clearing streets and sidewalks, Campus Facilities teams also helped prepare Memorial Stadium for a rare snow game on Nov. 30 against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Associate Vice Chancellor Graves, Chief of Staff John Middleton and I all expressed gratitude for the dedication of Campus Facilities team members. Their resilience supports Mizzou faculty, staff and students during the winter months and throughout the year.
Mizzou has more than 650 Campus Facilities staff who ensure we deliver our mission of teaching, research and meaningful engagement. I enjoyed meeting so many team members and showing our appreciation. They are an integral part of the Mizzou community.
— Mun
Looking to the future at Gov. Mike Kehoe’s inauguration
Jan. 14, 2025
I was honored to join leaders and fellow citizens on the south steps of the Capitol in Jefferson City for the inauguration of Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and the swearing in of many newly elected state officials. During the ceremony, Gov. Kehoe shared his incredible personal background – truly a great American success story.
We are proud to partner with lawmakers to advance our land-grant mission of teaching, research and meaningful engagement in each of Missouri’s 114 counties. Elected leaders know the incredible 25-to-1 return on investment Mizzou provides, and we are eager to find new ways to give back, foster economic development and make a difference. That’s why we are creating bold innovations that tackle our state’s most pressing challenges, including by extending lives through cancer-fighting medical isotopes produced at MURR, growing Missouri’s ag economy through research and engagement and educating a new generation of leaders to achieve excellence and meet our state’s workforce needs.
We are grateful to the 57th Gov. Mike Parson for his service, leadership and incredible support of the University of Missouri. We look forward to working with Gov. Kehoe and all elected leaders to advance new opportunities for growth across Missouri.
— Mun