A day of discovery with NSF Director Panchanathan

April 25, 2023

On Monday, we launched the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series with Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, the 15th director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), as the inaugural speaker. University of Missouri Board of Curators Chair Michael Williams, Vice Chair Robin Wenneker, chancellors from UM System universities and many elected officials joined a packed house in Monsanto Auditorium.

During his energetic presentation, Dr. Panchanathan shared his vision for partnerships that support opportunity across the nation. He specifically cited Mizzou research excellence, including NSF-funded work by Curators’ Distinguished Professor Ron Mittler and Associate Professor David G. Mendoza-Cózatl. Their study of how plants respond to iron deficiencies has the potential to improve human nutrition. As the event concluded, we presented Dr. Panchanathan with a personalized Mizzou Football jersey.

NSF is the only government agency charged with advancing all fields of scientific discovery, technological innovation and STEM education. Throughout the day, Dr. Panchanathan had the opportunity to tour Mizzou and meet with faculty, staff and students, who shared some of their discoveries.

It was the perfect way to kick off the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings leaders to campus to discuss grand challenges and how MU is positioned to make a difference. I want to thank Dr. Panchanathan for visiting our community.

— Mun

A friend to all: remembering Harlan

April 21, 2023

A large crowd — including many dogs — gathered in Peace Park to dedicate a white bench in memory of Harlan, the beloved Great Pyrenees who passed away in February.

I was joined by Harlan’s owners, Cris and Linda Wood, as well as outgoing Missouri Students Association President Josiah Mendoza and Vice President Molly Miller.

I met Harlan when I first arrived at MU and always enjoyed his friendly greetings. It was moving to hear the joy he brought to so many others. After Harlan died, students wanted something iconic to remember him on campus. This tribute invites all walking by to recall his warmth and kindness.

I want to thank Josiah, Molly and MSA for making this tribute possible, as well as Cris and Linda for sharing Harlan with our community.

— Mun

Building futures with the Trulaske College of Business

April 20, 2023

On a warm spring day, I stopped by the Trulaske College of Business to thank faculty and staff for their work supporting our students and the university.

The college’s numbers are on a good trajectory, with more than 4,400 undergraduates enrolled in fall 2022. Their results are even more impressive when you consider widespread declines in university attendance across the nation. Mizzou is bucking the trend of declining enrollment because we prepare students for great careers and have the graduation rate (75%) and job placement rate (95.4%) to prove our value.

We’ll continue working with leadership to nominate nationally-recognized prospective College of Business faculty for MizzouForward. We’re spreading the word that MizzouForward provides startup costs, salaries and fringe benefits while also investing in projects that support student success.

Whether students want to lead a major company – or start their own – Trulaske is the perfect place to launch an incredible future.

— Mun

CAFNR prepares students for success

April 12, 2023

MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) excels at helping students graduate and launch great careers. The statistics are impressive. For graduates from the 2022 academic year, 98% reported career success within 6 months – and 68% of them are employed in Missouri.

I met with more than 120 faculty and staff to applaud their work and see how we can further improve. I also helped congratulate nine CAFNR staff and a faculty member who received awards for their dedication to student advising.

CAFNR has shown solid growth in undergraduate enrollment. It’s up to us to continue that momentum and share the value of our university – and a Mizzou education.

Agriculture is Missouri’s number one economic driver, and CAFNR is dedicated to training the next generation of industry leaders. I’m proud of their accomplishments.

— Mun

Student-researchers at the Missouri Capitol

April 10, 2023

Last week, we hosted our annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Missouri State Capitol. Elected officials mingled with nearly 50 student-researchers from across the UM System, including 11 from Mizzou, who shared their groundbreaking work. I also encouraged researchers to connect with their peers from other UM System universities.

One accomplished pair of MU presenters was Aravind Kalathil and Noura Alhachami. Both research at MU’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment and are focused on improving the understanding and treatment of autism. Their work is partially funded by the Department of Defense.

Aravind has been researching since his freshman year, and will attend graduate school next semester. Noura’s brother is autistic, and their family initially moved to Columbia to be closer to the Thompson Center. Noura said the move has benefited her family, and she is also able to explore her interest in research. She plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology.

This event shows the immense talent of our students, who are already creating the next generation of breakthroughs for Missouri.

— Mun

Bringing precision health to rural Missouri

April 6, 2023

MU School of Medicine’s Mobile Simulation unit provides training to doctors, nurses and first responders throughout Missouri to ensure high-quality care in every county. Their new two-room vehicle features realistic simulations of emergency situations, including infant and OB care, as well as life-size models to practice using a defibrillator and intubating patients. 

The program is part of the Russell D. and Mary B. Shelden Clinical Simulation Center and began more than 10 years ago in a 30-foot Winnebago. It has grown along with the need for highly trained medical professionals, especially in rural areas. 

In the coming months, the Mobile Simulation team will visit more than 15 communities, including Tarkio, Sikeston and Moberly. I want to thank Dena Higbee, executive director of simulation, and Kathleen Quinn, associate dean for rural health, for their work and service to Missouri citizens.

We are invested in the health and future of our state. Mobile simulation is one of many ways we make an impact.

— Mun

Greek Week Blood Drive

April 4, 2023

I was honored to be a VIP Donor for the 2023 Greek Week Blood Drive in MizzouRec. Since 1990, our fraternity and sorority community has collected nearly 80,000 total donations. On Monday they gathered 804 units, the highest one-day total in Greek Week history.

The event is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through April 5. To participate, you can sign up on the Red Cross’s website by entering the code MIZZOU.

The blood drive is one of many Greek Week activities that emphasize hands-on service, sportsmanship and teamwork. I want to thank Greek Week organizers and volunteers for hosting this lifesaving event.

— Mun

Serving Missouri with Extension

April 4, 2023

All 114 Missouri counties (and St. Louis) were represented at Extension’s MU for You conference. The high-energy gathering was the first since 2019.

More than 200 Extension council members and staff traveled to Columbia to share ideas, participate in workshops and tour MU’s campus. It was also a chance to listen and learn how we can better serve all Missourians. I was pleased to attend and congratulate Extension members receiving awards for decades of service.

Council members are locally elected and serve as a bridge between their communities and MU. They work every day to maximize Extension’s impact throughout the state.

We are a land-grant university with a focus on teaching, research and service that makes a difference. Extension is central to how we fulfill that mission.

I am grateful for their important work.

— Mun

Maize researchers win career achievement awards

March 28, 2023

Two faculty members were recently honored for their groundbreaking careers researching maize (corn), one of Missouri’s leading crops.

Kathleen Newton, professor emerita of biological sciences, received the R. Emerson Lifetime Maize Genetics Award. David Braun, professor of biological sciences and plant sciences, received the L. Stadler Mid-Career Maize Genetics Award. Both were recognized by the Maize Genetics Cooperation.

Prof. Emerita Newton is the third member of MU’s world-renowned Interdisciplinary Plant Group to receive the lifetime achievement award. Mizzou is the only university with multiple recipients.

Prof. Braun’s award is named after Lewis J. Stadler, who held a joint appointment at MU and the USDA for more than 30 years. Stadler co-discovered that X-rays cause mutations, a tool now commonly used in plant research. Prof. Braun continues that tradition of excellence as director of the Interdisciplinary Plant Group and the Missouri Maize Center.

We are leaders in ag research and stewards of a legacy that continues to deliver for all Missourians.

— Mun

Curator Wenneker honored with Lieutenant Governor’s Women of Achievement Award

March 22, 2023

University of Missouri Board of Curators Vice Chair Robin Wenneker was recently named as a recipient of the 2023 Lieutenant Governor’s Women of Achievement Award. The award recognizes the accomplishments of 10 Missouri women in conjunction with Women’s History Month.

Curator Wenneker was appointed to the Board of Curators in 2020 representing District 4, including Columbia. She’s a Mizzou alum and incredible supporter of our research, learning and outreach mission.

The recipients were announced by Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and will be honored during a ceremony on March 23 at the Missouri Capitol. Congratulations to Curator Wenneker!

— Mun