Wall Street and Mizzou – go together

July 27, 2026

Tigers are proven leaders in their industries, including at some of New York City’s leading investment firms. Some of the legendary alums include Alan C. Greenberg, BSBA ’49 & Zeta Beta Tau member, former chairman of Bear Stearns, and Edward D. “Ted” Jones Jr., Ag ’47, former managing partner at Edward Jones Investments. Their success shows the power of the Mizzou community.

Several prominent alumni recently returned to inspire the next generation of business students.

Hosted on campus by the Trulaske College of Business, the Wall Street Summer Camp gave more than 30 high school students an immersive introduction to the world of high finance. Participants experienced life as Mizzou students while learning from our world-class faculty and staff. They also had incredible opportunities to hear directly from accomplished alumni who built their careers at J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs and other well-known firms.

Joining in-person was Brenna Noble Henderson, BSBA ’09, a senior portfolio manager for the Public School and Education Employees Retirement Systems of Missouri who has also worked at Atlanta Consulting Group and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Brenna was among the first Mizzou students to intern and then earn a position at Goldman Sachs in New York. She has continued to pave the way for fellow Tigers and offered campers advice on how to get started in this competitive field.

Campers also met Cash Schopflin, a current Mizzou finance major who joined virtually from New York, where he’s spending the summer interning at Goldman Sachs. Cash previously interned at Lepercq Group and Great Range Capital and serves as president of the University of Missouri Investment Group. Cash shared with students what it takes to secure competitive internships and offered advice on how to make the most of their time in college.

After learning from hands-on experiences, Mizzou students also get the chance to visit firms and explore careers in Wall Street, including through the Cornell Leadership Program, directed by Dr. Mary Beth Marrs, and other opportunities to study in New York.

Our community is dedicated to preparing future leaders for success. Whether on Wall Street or in critical industries around the world, alumni are making an impact and investing in possibilities for others.

— Mun

Mizzou takes the field at Wrigley

July 20, 2026

Yesterday, we made history at Wrigley Field in Chicago as the park celebrated its inaugural Mizzou Night. As part of the fun, I had the incredible honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch in front of more than 39,000 in attendance who waited out a 30-minute rain delay.

From Mizzou, I was joined on the field by Director of Athletics Laird Veatch, Whitten Family Men’s Head Basketball Coach Dennis Gates and Assistant Vice President of Government Relations Dusty Schnieders. Coach Gates, who is originally from Chicago, led the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch.

Chicago is home to our largest alumni chapter outside of Missouri, and it was great sharing a memorable night with so many Mizzou faithful as the Cubs took on the Detroit Tigers.

Mizzou will be back at Wrigley in a little over a month, when Mizzou Volleyball plays the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the historic ballpark for the SEC-Big Ten Challenge.

MIZ!

— Mun

Agriculture is in our DNA

July 20, 2026

It’s our land-grant mission to make a difference for Missouri and create new opportunities for our state’s most important industry: agriculture.

A central part of our impact is Mizzou’s statewide network of MU Extension offices that serve all 114 counties, as well as four Research, Education and Extension Centers (REECs) dedicated to the needs of different Missouri regions. Working with the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) and MU Extension, alongside producers and community leaders, we deliver world-class research and proven expertise that drive our workforce and economy forward.

In the months ahead, many rural Mizzou centers will host special Field Days and showcase events that bring stakeholders together to explore new technologies, discover innovative research and discuss how Mizzou can continue supporting their goals. The first Field Day kicks off on August 6 at the Lee Greenley Jr. Memorial Research Farm near Novelty, Missouri. Greenley Research Farm is part of the Northern Missouri REEC, led by director and proud Mizzou alum Jeff Case, BS Ag ’96, MS Ag Ed ’03.

Jeff knows firsthand the power of Mizzou to change lives and strengthen Missouri agriculture. He credited his time at Mizzou as the foundation of his agricultural career, and he is honored to help advance our mission by supporting research, education and meaningful engagement that directly benefits Missouri communities. He said it is especially meaningful to work alongside students, faculty and stakeholders to create opportunities for the next generation while giving back to an institution that invested in his success.

Jeff is one of three accomplished alumni directing REECs throughout the state, along with Jay Chism, MS ’04, at Southwest REEC and Dusty Walter, BS Ag ’96, MS ’00, PhD ’11, at Central Missouri REEC.

Through our outreach, including Field Days and the work of dedicated leaders like Jeff, we share critical resources and build new partnerships that improve the health, well-being and prosperity of Missourians. When we work with communities and find solutions together, we live out Mizzou’s commitment to excellence and grow our impact for all we serve.

— Mun

Training the next generation of research pioneers

July 13, 2026

The University of Missouri is one of the nation’s leading research universities. Since 1908, MU has been a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, an elite organization of 71 institutions transforming lives through Education, Research and Innovation. 

Educating the next generation of research pioneers has been in our DNA from the beginning. Through the years, our graduates have reached the highest echelon of research excellence including Dr. Frederick Chapman Robbins, a Columbia native who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1954 for his role in cultivating polio viruses in tissue cultures. Our faculty have played important roles in inspiring this next generation. A key example is Dr. George P. Smith, Curators’ Distinguished Professor Emeritus, who received the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing “phage display,” an innovative technique that transformed drug discovery and cancer treatment.

The important work of training the next generation of research pioneers continues. Recently, 14 Mizzou students were selected as this year’s Cherng Summer Scholars. This outstanding nine-week program for Honors College students provides faculty mentorship and incredible opportunities for Tigers to explore groundbreaking research projects.

Among this year’s talented scholars is Ajay Tosh, a junior from Columbia, who is pursuing degrees in biological sciences and neuroscience. With direction from Ajay’s faculty mentor, Dr. David Beversdorf in the College of Arts and Science and School of Medicine, Ajay is researching an omega-3 fatty acid and its potential positive effects on early neurodevelopment in those with one form of autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Beversdorf is a leading scholar who was recently named an Association for Psychological Science Fellow, a prestigious honor reflecting sustained contributions to his field.

Another Cherng Scholar is Jennifer Boyd, a junior biological sciences major from St. Robert, Missouri. Her research studies specific proteins within bacteria that can infect susceptible plants. Jennifer is working with distinguished faculty mentor Dr. Pamela Brown in the College of Arts and Science. Dr. Brown received a 2025 William T. Kemper Excellence in Teaching Award recognizing her support for student success.

This transformative program is supported by a generous gift from two distinguished Mizzou alums, Peggy and Andrew Cherng. We are grateful to the Cherngs and all alumni for their dedication to our land-grant mission and the success of each Mizzou student. Your support ensures we provide essential, hands-on learning opportunities that ready our Tigers for career success.

— Mun

Honoring a Mizzou veteran and global health hero

July 6, 2026

While we continue commemorating our country’s history, I am proud to highlight one Tiger alumna whose military service and commitment to making a difference illustrates the power of a Mizzou education to change the world.

Raised on her family’s farm in rural Illinois, Dr. Wanona “Winnie” Fritz enrolled in Mizzou’s U.S. Army Student Nurse Program to support her education. She graduated with her nursing degree in 1968 and was called up to serve in Vietnam in 1969. Before deployment, she earned her wings learning to fly in a Huey-D Med-Evac helicopter; throughout the war, she flew during Medical Civic Action Program missions to villages. Her distinguished military service earned her numerous honors, including the Bronze Star.

Dr. Fritz’s service also launched a remarkable career dedicated to helping others and improving medical systems around the world. Her talent for leadership led her to Walter Reed Army Medical Center as a nurse manager, where she cared for U.S. presidents, generals and foreign dignitaries, including King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan in 1972. He recruited her to assess and enhance Jordan’s health and health care system, for which she was awarded the country’s Medal of Honor.

Dr. Fritz led health care initiatives in the U.S. and 23 additional countries and held many prominent leadership roles, including CEO, chief clinical officer and chief nursing officer. She currently serves as the chief operating officer and senior vice president of operations and clinical services for HCCA Management Company in Franklin, Tennessee.

This June, Dr. Fritz received the Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee Legacy Award from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Washington D.C. during their 135th Continental Congress before nearly 3,500 delegates. This award recognizes the lifetime achievements of a former Army nurse who has demonstrated sustained excellence and long-term impact in the field of nursing and health care.

Historically, DAR awards have recognized other accomplished service members for exceptional achievements. Last year, the organization awarded the DAR Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Edna W. Cummings and retired Army Master Sgt. Elizabeth Helm-Frazier. The distinction honored their more than 25 years of military service, respectively, and advocacy for the predominantly Black 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Because of her sustained career excellence, Mizzou awarded Dr. Fritz the Jefferson Club Golden Quill Alumni Excellence Award last year. We thank Dr. Fritz for serving our country and for her lifelong dedication to global health, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.

— Mun

Stewarding a Founder’s final monument

June 29, 2026

As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July and our nation’s 250th anniversary, we also recognize a special Mizzou connection to a Founding Father right in the heart of campus. 

In 1883, Thomas Jefferson’s tombstone and plaque at Monticello had begun to deteriorate. The federal government previously approved funding for a new monument, and Jefferson’s heirs personally selected the University of Missouri to receive the original grave marker, in recognition of Mizzou’s role as the first public university in territory acquired through Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase. 

The Columbia Herald-Statesman reported an initial reveal scheduled for July 4, 1884 – a date corresponding to Jefferson’s death in 1826 – but a formal unveiling near Academic Hall was delayed until commencement in June 1885. After various moves around campus over the decades, and a trip to St. Louis for the 1904 World’s Fair, the monument was permanently relocated on July 4, 1976 to its current place along Francis Quadrangle, in time for the nation’s bicentennial. 

Jefferson’s commitment to public higher education has shaped Mizzou from its earliest foundations. The 1839 Geyer Act established the University of Missouri and was inspired by legislation Jefferson crafted to develop the University of Virginia. James Rollins, often called the Father of the University of Missouri, also expressed admiration for Jefferson and his many contributions to our nation. As president of the Board of Curators, Rollins personally wrote Jefferson’s heirs to share the university’s gratitude for their gift. 

Last week, Chair of the Board of Curators Todd Graves and I were invited by the Monticello Association to discuss the importance of the Jefferson Gravestone to the University of Missouri.

— Mun

Growing our presence and impact in Springfield 

June 25, 2026

Throughout this week, Mizzou was proud to showcase our ongoing investments in the workforce, health and economy of Springfield, as well as all rural communities in southwest Missouri and beyond.

On Wednesday, we celebrated the ribbon cutting for our new Mizzou campus in Springfield, home of a recently expanded School of Medicine program that will host students for all four years of their medical education. The campus also serves as a hub to introduce medical students to incredible opportunities to work in rural communities, helping create a pipeline of physicians to address a critical need for our state. 

Highlighting our strong local support and partnerships, we were joined by many community leaders, including Missouri Senators Sandy Crawford and Lincoln Hough, Missouri Representatives Bill Owen and Melanie Stinnett, Springfield Mayor Jeff Schrag, Greene County Commissioner John C. Russell, as well as representatives from the offices of Senator Josh Hawley, Congressman Bob Onder and Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. 

Also in attendance were our health care partners, including CoxHealth CEO & President Max Buetow and Mercy Springfield Communities President John Myers, along with Springfield Chamber President Matt Morrow and members of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, including Chair Todd Graves, Vice Chair Bob Blitz and Curators Emeriti Fred Hall and Sean McGinnis. 

Following the Board of Curators meeting on Thursday, we gathered with alumni and supporters for the next stop of Power the Roar at Finley Farms and the Ozark Mill, a historic local landmark preserved by Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris. 

Attendees heard directly from leaders about how we are advancing our land-grant mission and Power the Roar’s transformative impact across the state, including in Springfield. We were also joined by special guest Dr. David Barbe, a Mizzoumade® leader who served as a family medicine physician for more than 40 years in and around Mountain Grove, Missouri.  

Greene County is home to nearly 500 Mizzou students and 4,000 alumni. With the support of community members and dedicated Tigers, we’re proud to expand our footprint in the Springfield region and make an even greater difference for those we serve. 

— Mun

A fresh source for water innovations

June 22, 2026

As summer officially begins, Missourians and visitors from around the world are heading to our state’s abundant lakes, rivers and other bodies of water. Missouri’s water resources aren’t just enjoyable, they connect communities and support critical industries that power our state’s future.

At the University of Missouri, we’re proud to partner with state leaders, industry experts and world-class faculty to address the water challenges we face, while also supporting the workforce and economy of Missouri. New, groundbreaking Mizzou research highlights the depth of our impact.

• Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems Director Dr. Rick Relyea and colleagues just published a study exploring how wood frog populations can reveal the health of freshwater areas, including in Missouri, and help guide how we protect them.

• The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk in the Missouri School of Journalism distributed 50 stories over the past year, reaching nearly 400 outlets (including MSN and Yahoo! News) covering the nation’s largest watershed.

• Missouri Water Center core research faculty Dr. Brandon Sansom recently received U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) funding for a collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers, USGS and other partners to control invasive carp using an inventive barrier of bubbles.

Our water research is also supporting important national priorities. Missouri Water Center Co-Director Dr. Baolin Deng, scientist Dr. Pan Ni and other collaborators have secured nearly $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to recover critical rare earth minerals from mining wastewater. 

Across campus, our community is advancing Missouri’s water resources for recreation, business and innovation – helping ensure our state remains a great place to live and work during the summer and throughout the year.

— Mun

Developing champions and shaping leaders in Chicago

June 17, 2026

I was thrilled to return to Chicago for the latest stop of our nationwide Power the Roar campaign. Less than a year after publicly launching this historic effort to support Mizzou’s future, we’ve already raised more than $940 million thanks to dedicated Tigers in Chicago and across the country.

Among our exceptional alumni in attendance was Bill Baker, a consulting partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) LLP who is widely regarded as one of the most important living structural engineers. His groundbreaking work enabled the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, to exceed the previous record by more than 1,000 feet. He was also the lead structural engineer for the award-winning 800 Fulton Market, where our Chicago event was held.

We were also joined by Jason Liu, whose father, Dr. Henry Liu, taught civil engineering at Mizzou for more than 20 years. Before his passing, Dr. Liu helped develop a new type of fly ash brick, a building brick made from a waste by-product of coal power plants. Jason’s wife, Patricia Carl, is a Mizzou alumna who has held HR leadership positions with H&R Block, Career Education Corporation and FTD Companies.

As part of the event program, around 80 alums heard from College of Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury and Mizzou Chess Head Coach and Grandmaster Cristian Chirilă about the team’s historic season and how we continue to develop champions who are ready to excel in competition and in life.

It was great to be back in Chicago with so many fellow Tigers and to share our ambitious vision for Mizzou’s future.

— Mun

Mizzou School of Medicine expands in Springfield

June 15, 2026

Next week, we’ll celebrate a historic ribbon-cutting for the expanded Mizzou School of Medicine campus in Springfield. This new, university-owned facility builds on our decade-long commitment to providing world-class medical education in southwest Missouri. The program has also grown from the final two years of medical school to all four years, creating even more opportunities for Mizzou students and faculty to serve throughout the region. 

Among those joining us for this milestone is Dr. Rachel Plate (MD ’19), a graduate from the second Springfield Clinical Campus class. Originally from the Kansas City area, Dr. Plate was so inspired by her time in Springfield that she returned with her husband and is now an emergency room physician at Mercy Hospital Springfield.

As a student, she saw firsthand the many ways Springfield serves as a hub for nearby rural communities. Her hands-on experiences and close faculty mentors made her time on campus important to her growth as a physician and to her eventual decision to practice locally. She continues to stay involved with Mizzou, including as a lecturer for current students completing medical school on the Springfield campus. Dr. Plate will be featured in a video during the ceremony that highlights the program’s ongoing impact. 

The new campus location will double the number of medical students in the Springfield program, preparing even more Tigers to work in rural communities. We are excited to launch the next chapter of the Mizzou School of Medicine in Springfield and to train talented physicians like Dr. Plate who are dedicated to saving and improving lives across Missouri.

— Mun