MU alumna becomes chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court

July 13, 2023

For the second time in a decade, Mizzou Law alumna Mary Russell is leading the Missouri Supreme Court.

This month she begins her two-year term as chief justice, a role she previously held from July 2013 to June 2015.

In 2004, Chief Justice Russell became the third woman appointed to the court. She is its longest-serving current member and a dedicated mentor to those interested in the legal field.

MU is well represented at the state’s highest court. Five of the seven judges are alumni, including previous chief justice, Judge Paul C. Wilson.

Like Chief Justice Russell, a majority of Mizzou Law graduates stay in Missouri to launch their careers and make a difference. Their leadership shapes the future of our state.

— Mun

World War II veteran, accomplished Tiger celebrates 100 years

July 11, 2023

A distinguished World War II veteran and Mizzou alumnus is about to celebrate a major milestone: his 100th birthday.

In 1940, Edward Matheny Jr. came to Columbia from Kansas City and quickly became a prominent member of the campus community. Among many accomplishments, he was elected to the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society, selected to join the QEBH secret honor society, played on the basketball team, was editor of the Savitar and was active in fraternity life. Working on an accelerated course of study, he graduated in December 1943 with a degree in history and soon after joined the war effort.

He was an officer in the Navy and assigned to the staff of Adm. Chester Nimitz, commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet. From headquarters at Pearl Harbor, he helped track the movement of thousands of vessels throughout the Pacific Ocean. He then transferred to the 5th Fleet under Adm. Raymond A. Spruance, where he served through the war’s end and beyond.

In 1949, Mr. Matheny graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and returned to Kansas City to join the firm now known as Husch Blackwell ­– eventually becoming a managing partner. He is a respected civic leader who established Kansas City’s first public television station, led the non-partisan Citizens’ Association to support good governance and served for 15 years as president and foundation chairman of Saint Luke’s Hospital. He is also a notable historian who has written a number of books about the city and its institutions. At MU, he’s a member of the Jefferson Club and a life member of the Mizzou Alumni Association.

Mr. Matheny provides a great example of our commitment to service and is an outstanding representative of the Tiger community. On behalf of all Mizzou, I want to wish Mr. Matheny a happy birthday and thank him for the many ways he’s given back to our campus and country.

— Mun

Leadership in the SEC

June 27, 2023

I am honored to join the SEC Executive Committee and serve as vice president in 2025. The Executive Committee includes university leaders from across the conference, and I look forward to working with other members to achieve excellence for our student-athletes.

The SEC’s slogan “It Just Means More” celebrates achievement in competition and in the classroom. The SEC is the premier athletic conference in the country. It also brings together some of the nation’s top institutions that share Mizzou’s commitment to teaching, research and service.  As a rising force in the SEC, we are competing for championships and collaborating with conference peers to make a positive impact on our world. 

I am proud of our many accomplishments in the SEC, and I’m eager to support the conference’s future.

— Mun

Quality care at the Veterinary Health Clinic

June 20, 2023

Last Tuesday, I toured the Veterinary Health Clinic (VHC) to get a firsthand look at the incredible work our faculty, staff and students do to treat animals that we love. 

During my visit, I watched students gain hands-on experience assisting with an orthopedic surgery alongside faculty clinicians and technicians. 

I also stopped by our Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care facilities and the Motion Analysis Laboratory, which uses equipment similar to what filmmakers use for special effects to address a range of mobility issues. 

The VHC is one of only five veterinary hospitals in the country with a standing CT scanner that can image large animals like horses and cows without the need for general anesthesia. The clinic also houses one of the state’s premiere performance and rehabilitation centers for companion and working animals. These advanced resources, along with many others, provide animals with the quality medical services they need and our students with invaluable learning opportunities. 

When our animals need care, they are in good hands at the VHC.

— Mun

Building community at Cambio de Colores 

June 13, 2023

Last week, I had the privilege to speak at the 21st annual Cambio de Colores (Change of Colors) Conference. Hosted by MU’s Cambio Center, this conference is an opportunity for those working with Latine and immigrant communities to share research and promising practices that can improve lives. 

As a land-grant university, we have a duty to serve every Missourian. Our state has a growing immigrant population and many who speak languages other than English – including nearly 150,000 who speak Spanish as their primary language. That makes the Cambio Center’s work – and our own – vitally important.

Through leading research and outreach efforts, the Cambio Center serves Latin American, Spanish-speaking, immigrant and refugee communities on campus and across the country. As part of our Division of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, the center works with partners such as MU Extension and local organizations to bridge cultural divides, engage youth from many backgrounds and share information that benefits communities statewide. Cambio de Colores is a great opportunity to extend their impact and support a welcoming environment for all. 

I want to thank Cambio Center Director Dr. Lisa Dorner, as well as the center’s staff, fellows and volunteers for organizing such an incredible event. I hope to attend again in the future. 

— Mun

Alumni celebrate a Mizzou scuba legacy

June 6, 2023

At Mizzou, students can achieve their goals while discovering new, lifelong interests. Last weekend, I saw the lasting impact of these experiences when more than 200 alumni honored the instructor of an unforgettable course: scuba diving.

Known to many as Coach, Bill Busch taught Scuba Theory at Mizzou from 1964 to 2020 and helped grow an adventurous diving community in the middle of Missouri. He also led opportunities for students to prove their new skills in destinations like the Cayman Islands.

The on-campus reunion was hosted by Bill’s former students, including University of Missouri Curator Keith Holloway. Alums celebrated their mutual interest in scuba and appreciation for the course. Bill was also surprised with the Outstanding Service Award from the National Association of Underwater Instructors and an MU certificate recognizing his legacy.

I want to thank Bill for introducing a love of scuba diving to generations of students.

— Mun

Tigers in Bergamo!

May 30, 2023

I had a chance to visit Mizzou students enrolled in the Trulaske College of Business Study Abroad program at the University of Bergamo (Italy). This program was started more than 20 years ago by MU Professor Charles Franz and Professor Mauro Cavallone of Bergamo.

This year, nearly 40 MU students are integrated in intensive coursework alongside Italian and other European students. They are taught by both MU and Bergamo faculty in a variety of courses in finance and international business. Students also participate in team projects and case analyses that encourage cross-cultural interactions and the development of a global approach to business.

In addition to the coursework, students enjoy touring the beautiful Lombardy region of Italy as well taking weekend trips to Milan, Rome, Paris and Prague.  Students will return to Mizzou with a deep appreciation of Italian culture, language and cuisine and for the opportunity to learn in a unique environment.

I appreciate our MU faculty – including Assistant Teaching Professor and Trulaske Study Abroad Director Shannon Breske – and Bergamo colleagues for making this experience possible for our students.

— Mun

Enhancing accessibility in Greektown

May 24, 2023

Thanks to the leadership of our sorority community, new sidewalk improvements are planned for Greektown, an area adjacent to campus that is home to many students.

Members of the Panhellenic Association’s (PHA) Accessibility Committee initially discussed repairing and extending sidewalks with the Columbia City Council. Last summer, the Columbia Public Works Department presented preliminary designs for the project.

Given its importance to Mizzou, the university and the City of Columbia have agreed to share total costs. PHA will also contribute $17,000. Pending final approval by the Columbia City Council, work will be completed next summer along Rollins Street, Burnam Avenue, Kentucky Boulevard, Curtis Avenue, Richmond Avenue and Tiger Avenue.

Sorority and fraternity organizations are a significant part of student life. We’re proud to help create a more accessible community.

— Mun

Showing our appreciation

May 18, 2023

We’re kicking off summer with Staff Recognition Week, a series of events celebrating the importance of staff members to the university’s teaching, research and outreach mission. Throughout the week, there were many opportunities for employees to have fun and connect with others from across campus, including a free lunch in the Student Center that had more than 1,300 attendees.

On Wednesday, I was at the annual Staff Recognition Awards to help honor those with notable service anniversaries — including five who have worked at Mizzou 40 years or more — and other achievements. I also introduced winners of the Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Awards. Recipients were nominated for awards by their MU and UM System colleagues.

I am grateful to all staff members for making a difference in our community and across Missouri. I also want to thank the Staff Advisory Council for organizing this week’s events.

— Mun

Celebrating our graduates and honorary degree recipients

May 16, 2023

Congratulations to the more than 6,000 Mizzou students who graduated last weekend. Among the commencement ceremonies, we also recognized two distinguished alumni who were conferred honorary doctorate degrees: Dr. Kristy Weber and Ed Rapp.

• Dr. Kristy Weber – After graduating from Mizzou in 1987 with a degree in animal sciences, she attended medical school at Johns Hopkins University and was a fellow at the Mayo Clinic. Her research into sarcoma, a rare cancer that accounts for around 1% of new cancer diagnoses, has profoundly impacted the field. Dr. Weber was the first woman elected president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a professor and director of the Sarcoma Program at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center.

• Ed Rapp – He was a first-generation MU student from Pilot Grove, Mo. and graduated in 1979 with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance. He went on to become group president and CFO of Caterpillar, Inc., a $60 billion company. After being diagnosed with ALS in 2015, Mr. Rapp founded Stay Strong vs. ALS to improve the lives of those impacted by the disease and to help find a cure. He is a longtime supporter of rural students through our Heartland Scholars Academy.

An honorary degree is the highest form of recognition offered by the university to individuals of exceptional distinction. For new Mizzou grads, Dr. Weber and Mr. Rapp offer great examples of alumni achievement and leadership.

— Mun