President Choi’s Blog
Rebuilding in the Bootheel
March 24, 2022
Today I traveled to Gobler, a town near the center of Missouri’s Bootheel to thank those who assisted after an EF4 tornado struck the area in December. Governor Parson, federal, state and local officials, as well as members of our MU community, joined me.
In addition to celebrating first responders and the many resilient residents of southeast Missouri, I was also proud to acknowledge the work of MU’s Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center (FD-REEC). With research locations throughout the region, FD-REEC staff were well-positioned to remove debris and provide support in the days and weeks after the storm.
Service is at the core of our university, and it drives our outreach throughout the state. I’m honored MU could join local and state partners to help when it was most needed.
— Mun
Welcoming Coach Gates to the Tiger family
March 22, 2022
This morning, the UM System Board of Curators approved Dennis Gates as the 20th head coach of our Mizzou Men’s Basketball team.
Coach Gates’ track record of success at Cleveland State proves he has the tenacity to drive a winning team while also supporting his players. Our student-athletes, campus community and Tiger fans everywhere are ready for his bold leadership on and off the court.
AD Reed-Francois has set an expectation of excellence for all of Mizzou Athletics. I know Coach Gates will help us further usher in a results-driven, winning culture and take Mizzou basketball to the next level.
Welcome, Coach Gates. We’re glad to have you as a Tiger. M-I-Z!
— Mun
Globetrotting Tigers
March 17, 2022
Earlier this week, I attended a reception honoring the five finalists for the 2022-23 Mark Twain Fellowship.
Since 2014, this prestigious annual award has provided financial support to a Mizzou senior pursuing graduate study in a non-North American university.
It was great to hear from past Mark Twain Fellows, including Liz Kujath, the 2021-22 recipient who is studying linguistics at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
As a world-class university, Mizzou shares the impact of our community around the globe through the Mark Twain Fellowship. Each of these five Tigers is ready to make significant contributions in their chosen field.
We look forward to announcing this year’s Mark Twain Fellow later this semester.
— Mun
Watch the 2022 State of the University address
March 15, 2022
In my State of the University address, I explored the many ways we’re working together to build a world-class future for our students and Missouri.
I highlighted MizzouForward’s bold vision for research excellence, such as our goal to hire 150 new world-class faculty members over 5 years and invest $1.5 billion across the 10-year-initiative. I announced new investments in 51 programs across campus that support student success. With so much good news to share, I hope you’ll watch the address and see for yourself how Mizzou is on the rise.
We are a university dedicated to learning, research and outreach that makes a difference. I was proud to share that impact with our community.
— Mun
Leading the way with Mizzou 18 & ’39
March 12, 2022
Service drives our community and has since the university’s founding in 1839.
To honor that legacy, each year the Mizzou Alumni Association and Alumni Association Student Board choose a new class of remarkable students to receive the Mizzou 18 and Mizzou ’39 Awards. The Tigers chosen — 18 graduate and professional students and 39 undergraduate seniors — have shown the leadership needed to make an impact. Each recipient also chooses a faculty or staff mentor to acknowledge for their support and collaboration.
Despite the snow, on Friday we held a reception to congratulate our new Mizzou 18 recipients. On Saturday, I met the seniors of Mizzou ’39 and heard more about their accomplishments.
Through their research and outreach, these Tigers fully embody our Mizzou values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery and Excellence. After more than 180 years, it’s clear our spirit of service is still going strong.
— Mun
You’re invited to the 2022 State of the University address
March 9, 2022
I hope you’ll join me at 10 a.m. next Tuesday, March 15 in Jesse Auditorium for the annual State of the University address.
This special event is an opportunity to share how we’re moving our campus community forward, to celebrate student and faculty accomplishments and to map the bold steps we’re taking to better serve Missouri and the world. In addition to these highlights, I’ll announce new initiatives that will have a major impact on the future of Mizzou.
I hope to see you there!
— Mun
‘The joy of life is music’
March 4, 2022
I was happy to join longtime Mizzou supporter Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield to reveal her $3.4 million commitment to our Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI) — helping build on MU’s legacy as a leader in the creation and performance of new music.
The surprise announcement came after Dr. Sinquefield joined the School of Music’s weekly convocation. Natalia Bolshakova, MU collaborative piano instructor, also played an original composition by student J.T. Wolfe, marking the 1,000th piece of music written and performed through the initiative.
With a legacy of inspiring composers (some as young as 6) to create new work, Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield are helping us invest in Missouri’s next generation of musical talent. This gift is a continuation of their more than 10 years of growing the MNMI, and just one of many ways they have supported our School of Music — including the new Sinquefield Music Center building.
I want to thank both Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield for their dedication to our creative community.
— Mun
Former U.S. Surgeon General visits MU as keynote for Black History Month
March 1, 2022
On Monday, Feb. 28 we welcomed former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, for a packed day of events with our Mizzou community.
Dr. Adams met with students and faculty across campus, including at the School of Medicine, the School of Law and the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. He concluded with a public fireside chat in Stotler Lounge where he discussed his time as “America’s doctor,” why health iniquities are a social justice issue and answered questions submitted by attendees. Dr. Adams also received a commemorative MU plaque from the Division of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, the Department of Black Studies and the College of Arts and Science.
Dr. Adams’ visit was the keynote event for Black History Month celebrations at Mizzou, which featured a full schedule of speakers, concerts and discussions around the theme of Black health and wellness. It takes each of us to welcome and learn from a variety of engaging speakers — and it’s our collective mission to continue these important conversations throughout the year.
Thanks to all who made our many Black History Month events such a success.
— Mun
Celebrating our creative community
Feb. 28, 2022
Friday evening, I attended the Chancellor’s Arts Showcase — an annual event where the best of Tiger creativity is on full display.
Among the highlights was “Echoes,” a piece by 2022 Sinquefield Composition Prize winner Luis Hermano Bezerra and performed by MU’s Wind Ensemble. The showcase also featured groundbreaking pieces from many fields, including theatre, architecture and the visual arts.
It was great to see our students’ work at the historic Missouri Theatre. Creative excellence is a vital part of how we discover new ways forward and better understand our world. I enjoyed sharing in their vision and passion.
— Mun
Wishing Gary Ward a happy retirement!
Feb. 24, 2022
Gary Ward, MU’s vice chancellor for operations and chief operating officer, is retiring at the end of this month after 16 years at Mizzou — capping a 35-year career in higher education.
Gary has ensured our beautiful campus is always ready to serve the needs of our community. His forward-looking vision has also prepared us to do even more for future generations of both Tigers and Missourians.
Under his leadership, Gary oversaw:
• 21 departments, 1,900 employees and a $300 million annual budget
• Nearly $3 billion in large construction projects since 2006 (including the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building)
• Our efforts to increase the use of green energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 62% since 2008
Though retiring, Gary is putting his expertise to great use as the executive director of operations for Love Columbia, an organization that connects community relationships and resources to people in need.
A tribute bench on the south side of Jesse Hall will be commemorated, acknowledging Gary’s service to the university. I also want to thank Gary personally for his dedication and for being a great steward of Mizzou.
— Mun