Mizzou welcomes NCAA Cross Country National Championships to Columbia
Nov. 25, 2025
This past weekend, we proudly hosted the 2025 NCAA Cross Country National Championships at Gans Creek Cross Country Course for the first time in Mizzou history. More than 6,000 fans packed the course to cheer on more than 500 student-athletes from nearly 50 universities.
The Mizzou women’s team competed for a national title for the first time since 2016. Freshman Monica Wanjiku finished 35th overall, earning All-American honors. The Tigers placed 28th in a strong field with some of the nation’s most elite competitors.
We’ve hosted several other major meets during the 2025 season, including the Gans Creek Classic.
Our cross-country facility is among the best in the country. Hosting premier tournaments elevates Mizzou Athletics and draws thousands of visitors who experience the best of the Columbia community.
We look forward to welcoming even more nationally recognized events to Gans Creek in the future.
— Mun
NPR, Boston Globe highlight Mizzou’s success in evolving higher ed landscape
Nov. 19, 2025
Mizzou research is central to the health and defense of our nation. We shared that important message of support in a recent episode of WNYC’s “On the Media,” which was broadcast on NPR. Reporter Hilary Burns visited campus and toured MURR to see firsthand the incredible impact of our radioisotope research and production.
During our interview, I also discussed the vital role of federally-funded research in advancing groundbreaking projects like MURR – and our transformative new reactor, NextGen MURR. Key to our comprehensive research success (from nuclear medicine to AI and agriculture) is working alongside elected leaders and listening to their feedback so we can best focus on our land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach.
You can listen to the latest episode here, which discusses the evolution of government-university research partnerships. Mizzou is featured around 24:00. This coverage is part of an ongoing series, “The Harvard Plan,” produced by the Boston Globe and “On the Media.”
Mizzou continues to receive incredible support from state and federal partners. By coming together – and always acting with the best interests of the university and Missouri in mind – we can make a profound difference in our state, while delivering even more impact for all.
We continue to receive national attention for our outreach on behalf of Mizzou’s research excellence, including praise for our approach adjusting to the changing landscape of higher education. It’s an honor to work with our many constituents to save and improve lives in Missouri and around the country.
— Mun
A tradition of gratitude: Saluting Whiteman AFB and our military
Nov. 19, 2025
Before last Saturday’s dominant win over Mississippi State, I had the privilege of attending the annual tailgate for Whiteman Air Force Base outside Mizzou Arena.
For 27 years, Joe and Fran Scallorns have hosted this important event, bringing together base leadership, those serving at Whiteman AFB and their families to cheer on the Tigers. It’s also a meaningful opportunity for all of Mizzou to show our tremendous gratitude to our military community.
Hundreds attended this year, including Director of Athletics Laird Veatch and Col. Timothy Griffith, Deputy Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing – the unit that operates the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. I’m deeply grateful to all the airmen who keep watch and protect our country, as well as to their families who support this vital mission.
Saturday was also Mizzou Football’s Military Appreciation game. Athletics distribute 300 free tickets to ROTC cadets and midshipmen, as well as to members of the Mizzou Student Veterans Association. The Student Veterans Association was also honored on-field during the game, along with Whiteman AFB leadership.
Mizzou is proud to recognize those who serve and to share our appreciation for their sacrifice and leadership. I also want to thank Joe and Fran for organizing another successful tailgate bringing together the Mizzou and Whiteman AFB communities.
— Mun
Honoring courage and service on Veterans Day
Nov. 12, 2025
On Monday afternoon, we recognized Veterans Day with our 99th annual wreath-laying ceremony under the Memorial Union archway. The ceremony honored the sacrifice and dedication of our Mizzou student-veterans with support from representatives of the MU Student Veterans Resource & Support Center, Navy and Army ROTC.
This year, retired Air Force Col. John Clark from Columbia shared his story of resilience and courage. Col. Clark was downed by anti-aircraft fire and subsequently captured in North Vietnam in 1967. This led to nearly six years as a prisoner of war in Hỏa Lò Prison, alongside former Senator John McCain. During this time, Col. Clark was listed as missing in action and presumed lost until nearly four years later when the first letter he wrote to his family finally arrived. He was released on February 18, 1973.
Col. Clark is a Hickman High School graduate and a Mizzou alumnus. During his remarks, he emphasized the pride and power each member of the military holds, whether serving during a time of war or peace. His book, “The Eagle Hunts,” recounts his time spent during and after capture. It is available through the MU Veterans Center.
Mizzou is committed to serving our veterans, active-duty students and their families. The MU Veterans Center offers resources, support and fellowship for military-connected students, and the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic provides free legal services for our veterans. The university is recognized as a 2025-26 Gold Award Military Friendly School and a 2025-26 Military Spouse Friendly School, representing our continued dedication to Mizzou’s military community. We are also proud that MU Veterans Center Director Keith Glindemann recently received the Ron York Meritorious Service Award from the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators, commending more than two decades of service to the veteran community.
Thank you to Col. Clark for sharing your message of bravery and commitment to others. I also want to honor and thank all Mizzou student-veterans for serving Missouri and our country.
— Mun
California Tigers unite for Power the Roar
Nov. 10, 2025
It’s been two months since we publicly launched Power the Roar – and I’m pleased to announce that Mizzou alumni and supporters have contributed an incredible $770 million toward our $2 billion goal. I’m grateful for the outpouring of support from Tigers across the country who share Mizzou’s commitment to excellence.
To continue our incredible momentum, this week I joined fellow Mizzou leaders – including Journalism Dean David Kurpius, Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury and Engineering Dean Marisa Chrysochoou – for three Power the Roar events in California. I enjoyed connecting with so many proud Tigers who used their Mizzou education to launch remarkable careers in business, journalism, the arts and technology.
In San Francisco and the Bay Area, we shared Mizzou’s groundbreaking work in emerging fields like artificial intelligence – where our students and faculty use AI to advance cybersecurity, agriculture and health care, among many other areas. In Los Angeles, we heard from accomplished alumni including Jonathan Murray, Alexis Johnson and Pulitzer Prize winner Mary McNamara, who shared how the Missouri Method prepared them to become leaders across the media industry.
I was also pleased to meet individually with dedicated alumni including Joon Bai, Dan Godar, Gretchen Myers, Madvi Raya, Price Sloan and Archie Thornton to discuss our bold vision for how Power the Roar will impact communities, empower students, win championships and prepare leaders for our state and society.
There are nearly 10,000 Mizzou alumni in Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Bay Area. I’m thankful for their strong support and enthusiasm for Power the Roar. Mizzou is back, and I enjoyed sharing the success and ambition of our Tiger community.
— Mun
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