President Choi’s Blog
Celebrating an original voice in new music
Nov. 19, 2024
The Sinquefield Composition Prize is a prestigious award given each year to one Mizzou student for excellence in music composition. Last week, I joined Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, Provost Matthew Martens, College of Arts and Science Dean Cooper Drury and School of Music faculty at a reception announcing the 2025 winner: master’s composition student, Giovanni Porfirio.
I enjoyed hearing Giovanni describe his genre-spanning approach to composition as well as his musical influences. As part of the prize, Giovanni is commissioned to write a new, original work that will be performed by the University Philharmonic Orchestra and professionally recorded. It will premiere this February at the Chancellor’s Arts Showcase.
Mizzou’s music composition program is one of the best in the country, and we are grateful for the generous support of Curator Cairns Sinquefield, Rex Sinquefield and the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation. Their vision for the Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI) has made our campus a global destination for students like Giovanni and world-renowned faculty like 2024 Guggenheim Fellow Utku Asuroglu. MNMI supports a range of ambitious programing, including the Sinquefield Composition Prize and the Mizzou International Composers Festival, which has resulted in more than 1,250 new works produced over 20 years.
Congratulations again to Giovanni! I look forward to hearing how he, and our many talented Mizzou composers, create their own legacy and influence others.
— Mun
The future of energy innovation with Dr. Harriet Kung
Nov. 14, 2024
Today we welcomed Dr. Harriet Kung, leader of the Office of Science in the Department of Energy (DOE), for our second annual President’s Distinguished Lecture. Dr. Kung’s wide-ranging talk covered the organization’s history, the critical energy challenges facing our nation (including uses of AI) as well as new opportunities for partnerships that support innovation and discovery.
Dr. Kung also discussed how our community – especially through MizzouForward – can contribute to DOE’s important work by translating scientific advances into solutions that benefit industry and communities. Following her presentation, Dr. Kung answered questions from the audience about important energy topics and ways student researchers can get involved and make a difference.
Mizzou has strong connections to the Department of Energy. During her visit, Dr. Kung met with many leading Mizzou researchers with DOE-funded projects in numerous fields, such as plant sciences, physics and engineering. She also toured the University of Missouri Research Reactor, where our team contributes to vital radiopharmaceutical development as part of DOE’s Isotope Program. We were also thrilled to preview future Mizzou initiatives that can contribute to DOE goals, including our twice-as-powerful research reactor, NextGen MURR, and the Center for Energy Innovation.
We are proud to partner with the DOE and the Office of Science to address the most significant energy challenges facing our nation and to educate the workforce of the future. It was an honor to host Dr. Kung and to learn from her experience and leadership.
— Mun
Launching a world-class partnership for materials science breakthroughs
Nov. 13, 2024
Mizzou faculty are joining researchers from around the country in an interdisciplinary partnership that strengthens domestic manufacturing and enhances national security.
Co-led by MU Engineering researchers Shelia Grant, David Grant and Prasad Calyam, the team is partnering with distinguished colleagues at Arizona State University, Brewer Science and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center. Together, they are exploring the development and manufacturing of critical materials, including for semiconductors, using advances like AI and machine learning. This initiative meets an important need while building on the groundbreaking work of our Materials Science & Engineering Institute.
This collaboration will inspire incredible breakthroughs while growing our reputation as a center for innovations in materials science. We are proud to collaborate with fellow academic, industry and government leaders to impact Missouri and our nation.
— Mun
Honors Humanities Sequence celebrates 70 years of big ideas
Nov. 7, 2024
Last weekend, I enjoyed attending the 70th anniversary of Mizzou’s long-running Honors Humanities Sequence. Since 1954, this interdisciplinary program has engaged Tigers through four linked Honors College courses that explore literature, philosophy, art, religion and music – stretching from Homer to Billie Holiday.
We were joined by faculty and alumni from nearly every decade of the program who shared how the courses enriched their lives. The celebration included a history of the sequence from its current coordinator and Honors College Associate Dean Rachel Harper, remarks from Honors College Dean Catherine Rymph, engaging lectures, a performance by School of Music faculty and panel discussions exploring the sequence’s growth and influence.
Mizzou proudly prepares leaders to engage with society’s most important questions. It was great celebrating the Humanities Sequence’s success and its ongoing impact on our community.
— Mun
Recognizing Sigma Chi and the contributions of MU fraternities and sororities
Nov. 1, 2024
I was pleased to attend a banquet celebrating the rechartering of the Xi Xi chapter of Sigma Chi. Rechartering is a significant moment for the chapter and allows Sigma Chi brothers to make an even greater impact on campus and beyond.
For the past two semesters, the chapter placed in the top 3 fraternities for GPA rankings. Members also raised over $5,000 through philanthropic efforts last year and spent one day each month cleaning 1.5 miles of road they adopted. Sigma Chi is empowering its members to make a difference while enhancing our entire fraternity and sorority community.
Originally founded in 1896, Sigma Chi has a long history at the University of Missouri. Prominent alumni include industry leaders – and dedicated Mizzou supporters – such as Larry McMullen, Jay Shields and John Qualy. Jesse Hall namesake and former university president Richard Jesse was also a Sigma Chi brother.
Fraternities and sororities at Mizzou make an incredible impact through their fundraising and outreach – while also helping students find support and belonging. Congratulations to Chapter Consul Tyler Thomas and all 51 Sigma Chi brothers at Mizzou. I’m grateful for their dedication to others and for the contributions of our more than 7,300 fraternity and sorority members.
— Mun
Saving lives with Buckle Up Phone Down
Oct. 28, 2024
Wednesday is Buckle Up Phone Down Day, and we’re proud to partner with fellow Missourians across the state to share a simple message that can keep our roadways safe.
To start, make sure you always use your seatbelt. It’s the best way to protect you, your family and your friends while driving. Next, avoid dangerous distractions by keeping your phone down when operating a vehicle. Just by following these two steps, you can make a difference and potentially save a life.
Please do your part to reach our goal of zero fatalities on Missouri’s roads. Join us by participating in the Buckle Up Phone Down movement now and throughout the year.
— Mun
Mizzou Hall of Fame honors alumni excellence
Oct. 22, 2024
We have the best Homecoming in the country – and one of our great annual traditions is welcoming a new class of Mizzou Hall of Fame honorees. These awards recognize distinguished, high-achieving alumni who enhance Mizzou’s legacy of service and excellence.
During our ceremony last Friday, Homecoming Tri-Directors helped us introduce and celebrate three incredible alumni:
• Hayes Barnard, B.S. B.A. ’95 – Founder, Chairman & CEO, GoodLeap & GivePower; Founder, GoodFinch
• Mary Rhodes Russell, J.D. ’83 – Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri
• Bill Thompson, B.S. C.i.E. ’68, L.H.D. ’05 – Chairman Emeritus, PIMCO; Principal, WST Partners; Founder, Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment at Mizzou
Through their accomplishments, these proud Tigers have transformed communities and society. They live our values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery and Excellence each day, and we are pleased to commend their impact in Missouri and around the world.
Congratulations to our Mizzou Hall of Fame honorees! We are grateful for their example of leadership, and for the many contributions of our more than 360,000 global alumni.
— Mun
Mizzou community breaks Homecoming service records
Oct. 18, 2024
We’re thrilled to once again celebrate Mizzou Homecoming! Across so many events, Tigers are coming together to recognize what makes our community special – including our commitment to others.
The student-run Homecoming Blood Drive is more than 40 years old and still breaking records. This year, they collected nearly 5,000 units of blood to help save lives. Tiger Food Fight, our annual drive benefiting the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, was another historic success. Our community contributed an amazing 178,836 tons of food for those in need, including on campus through Tiger Pantry.
During our Homecoming Day of Service, Tigers stepped up and completed 1,500 total hours of community service. Throughout Homecoming Weekend, many alumni and friends will also serve as volunteer Homecoming Ambassadors to welcome all to campus.
There are still ways to get involved and show your Mizzou spirit. The Homecoming Endowment is a great year-round opportunity to support our university and advance Homecoming’s legacy for future generations. We also need everyone to cheer on our Tigers during tomorrow’s game against Auburn.
We are proud to continue Leading the Legacy. Happy Homecoming – and go Tigers!
M-I-Z!
— Mun
Engaging alumni in New York City
Oct. 15, 2024
We recently hosted another memorable It Begins at Mizzou alumni event, this time in the heart of New York City. It was great sharing our incredible impact with New York alumni who know firsthand the power of a Mizzou education.
Our main panel discussion explored Mizzou’s commitment to civil discourse and featured Law School Dean Paul Litton, Director of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy Jay Sexton and Ella Rose Ferguson, a junior studying political science and constitutional democracy. Together, they shared how Mizzou encourages students to tackle society’s toughest challenges while promoting intellectual pluralism and mutual respect.
Guests also had a chance to connect with talented students in the Cornell Leadership Program. Program participants were in town for Tigers on Wall Street, a week-long opportunity to tour and learn more about industry-leading companies, including Meta, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone and many others.
While in New York, I also met with some of our most dedicated supporters, including Chuck Wall, Sandy Sharp and Dan Arnall. We were pleased to highlight our progress and to discuss new ways we can work together to ensure excellence for those we serve in Missouri and across the nation.
Thank you to all who attended and showed their passion for the University of Missouri. I look forward to our next stop in Houston!
— Mun
Chicago alumni connect with Mizzou-Made entrepreneurs
Oct. 8, 2024
Mizzou is on the rise, and the nation is taking notice. Our momentum is undeniable, so we’re bringing our story on the road with It Begins at Mizzou – a series of events that connect alumni directly with exceptional MU faculty, staff and students.
We recently stopped in Chicago where around 100 Tigers turned out to celebrate Mizzou’s impact on society. Beginning the evening’s program was Paul Vogel, who described his own Mizzou Made success story. Paul and his wife, Lynn Ann, are proven leaders, and we’re grateful for their enduring commitment to our community, including a transformative investment in the Trulaske College of Business announced last month.
We also highlighted innovative programs like Entrepreneur Quest (EQ), a competition where students pitch business ideas and receive funds to make their dreams a reality. During a great panel discussion, recent graduates Blake Brown and Michelle Gershkovich shared how winning EQ awards helped launch their respective businesses, BTB Kicks and ALLTER. Fellow panelist and Executive Director of Entrepreneur Programs Greg Bier described how Mizzou helps student-entrepreneurs like Blake and Michelle develop the confidence and resilience they need to achieve excellence.
I enjoyed celebrating our community and gathering with so many Chicago alumni. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to meeting with more loyal Mizzou supporters across the country.
— Mun