President Choi’s Blog
Mizzou Soccer beats KU
Sep. 6, 2022
On Sunday, Mizzou Soccer beat KU by a score of 2-1. Congratulations to Head Coach Stefanie Golan and the Mizzou team for an outstanding performance.
It was great to see the crowd, including many student-athletes, come out to support the team at Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium. One of those fans was Jude Dierker, a Mizzou diver and junior industrial engineering major, who cheered on his fellow Tigers.
We plan to beat KU again on Dec. 10 when Men’s Basketball takes on the Jayhawks at Mizzou Arena.
— Mun
Black & Gold Fridays return
Sep. 1, 2022
Tiger Football is back! Later today, I hope to see everyone in Memorial Stadium as we take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs for our home opener.
Tomorrow also marks two annual traditions – Black & Gold Fridays and College Colors Day. Each Friday during the football season, we encourage the Mizzou community to wear our colors with pride. It’s the perfect time to get in the game!
We’re building a championship culture with high expectations for athletics – as well as research, student success and outreach. Wearing black and gold reminds us of our shared bond as Tigers, no matter where you live.
Help us celebrate Mizzou excellence on and off the field.
— Mun
Op-ed shares the new Mizzou
Aug. 30, 2022
Over the weekend, the Columbia Daily Tribune published our editorial to commemorate a renewed era of Mizzou excellence.
Since last year, there’s much to celebrate:
• Five years of research growth (to nearly $400 million)
• Record high spring graduation rate (75%)
• 25 world-class faculty hired as part of MizzouForward
• Highest level of state and federal support
We’re just scratching the surface of what students, faculty and staff can accomplish with our historic investments and high expectations. Check it out for yourself and see what I mean by the new Mizzou.
— Mun
Growing Missouri agriculture
Aug. 24, 2022
In the northwest corner of Missouri – near the border with Nebraska and Iowa – the Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center is at the forefront of promoting local agriculture.
At the center’s 33rd annual field day this week, we broke ground on a long-awaited machine shed. The project was recently funded thanks to the Missouri General Assembly and their strong support for Missouri agriculture and MU Extension. Curator Todd Graves, elected officials, university leaders and community members joined the celebration.
The center, established in 1988, collaborates between extension and local agribusiness covering a 50-mile radius and four states. Originally formed to promote no-till farming, the center is key to helping extension double the value of Missouri agriculture by 2030.
On Friday, I head to another corner of Missouri to attend the T.E. “Jake” Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center field day in the Bootheel.
— Mun
Marching into a new semester
Aug. 22, 2022
The best marching band in the country never rests.
As we begin a new academic year, Marching Mizzou is back at it under the outstanding direction of Dr. Amy Knopps. Here is a recent photo of them practicing in the twilight.
Marching Mizzou epitomizes excellence, and I can’t wait to see them on Faurot Field as we begin the new season of Mizzou Football. This November, they’ll also appear in the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
M-I-Z!
— Mun
Inspiring future ag leaders
Aug. 16, 2022
The University of Missouri shares in the Missouri State Fair’s mission to champion tomorrow’s ag leaders.
This year, our College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) helped sponsor an event to raise funds for first time fair exhibitors with 4-H, the National FFA Organization and youth facing physical or cognitive challenges.
Last week, I joined CAFNR Dean Chris Daubert and other CAFNR leaders at the event, known as the Purple Ribbon Kickoff Gala.
For 15 years, Mizzou has proudly served as a solid partner with the state fair – Missouri’s premier agricultural event. We are excited to head back to Sedalia Thursday to attend the Governor’s Ham Breakfast.
— Mun
Engaging our staff members
Aug. 11, 2022
MU staff are an integral part of our community and are key to elevating our collective mission.
The UM System Intercampus Staff Advisory Council (ISAC) represents our staff systemwide – including MU Health Care – and advises leadership on staff interests. This week, I attended their annual meeting along with Curators Julia Brncic, Robin Wenneker, Michael Williams and Vice President for Human Resources Marsha Fischer.
We discussed the important activities of staff throughout the UM System and listened to their input on the proposed leave design. It was a great opportunity to gather candid and constructive feedback.
We look forward to sharing more stories that amplify staff accomplishments and finding additional ways to show our appreciation for all they do.
— Mun
Welcoming new faculty to Mizzou
Aug. 10, 2022
As we begin the new academic year, we’re eager to greet 170 talented faculty joining our University of Missouri community. On Tuesday, we held a welcome reception at the Chancellor’s Residence on Francis Quadrangle.
During the reception, they were introduced to many university leaders and encouraged to reach out with any questions about our campus or Columbia.
These new faculty are joining us at an exciting time. With MizzouForward, we are investing in researchers to ensure they have the tools and interdisciplinary partnerships necessary to create more discoveries. We’re committed to providing the additional support they need to have long, productive careers at Mizzou.
Welcome back activities continue on Thursday evening with an open house in Jesse Hall.
— Mun
A world of new music premieres at Mizzou
Aug. 4, 2022
On July 30, eight incredible composers from around the globe, including Rome, New York City and right here in Columbia, premiered their work at the Missouri Theatre. Their compositions were selected from roughly 500 applicants and performed by Alarm Will Sound as the finale of the 13th Mizzou International Composers Festival.
I enjoyed attending the festival with Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield, benefactors whose support made this week of events possible, as well as College of Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury and School of Music Director Julia Gaines.
Through opportunities like this and others like the Sinquefield-supported Mizzou New Music Initiative and Sinquefield Music Center, our campus remains a hub for forward-thinking composers.
— Mun
Turning undergrads into accomplished researchers
Aug. 1, 2022
Ninety-five talented students from across the nation and the globe convened on campus for MU’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program, a tradition since 2000. For nine weeks, these students researched alongside world-class faculty mentors. We recently celebrated their many accomplishments and look forward to potential research articles citing several of these undergrads as co-authors.
Students came from 47 institutions and included Randi Noel, a Mizzou sophomore majoring in plant sciences, who worked with Dr. Richard Ferrieri, a chemistry research professor. She spent the summer using advanced equipment (brand new to MU) to study the effect of wildfires on plant regrowth and is listed as the first author on a paper submitted to a prestigious journal.
These select students were chosen from hundreds of applicants and are some of the brightest students in their fields, from journalism to materials science and engineering. We were happy to welcome them to campus and share the lab space, tools and support needed to make their discoveries possible.
— Mun