Working together for Mizzou

Feb. 2, 2022

Yesterday, I was honored to address a joint meeting of the Missouri Students Association and the Graduate Professional Council. I shared brief updates including information on COVID-19, before opening it up to general questions.

Students raised important issues, and I was glad for this opportunity to talk about ways we can support students and the areas where we have more work to do. One thing we have been able to do is provide free KN95 masks at the Mizzou Store for students, faculty and staff. Our latest shipment just arrived and once we get beyond the current snow event, they will be available for pick-up.

I very much enjoyed meeting our Mizzou undergraduate and graduate students. Their input is critical as we work together to ensure Mizzou is a place where everyone can achieve excellence.

— Mun

Three MU faculty members named AAAS Fellows

Jan. 26, 2022

Today, we’re proud to announce that three Mizzou professors have been named 2021 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS). This honor is one of the highest recognitions a scientist can receive for a career of discovery and service to society.

MU’s newest AAAS Fellows are:

• Lee-Ann H. Allen, professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and the George Trimble Endowed Chair for Excellence in Medicine in the MU School of Medicine
• Susan Renoe, associate vice chancellor for strategic initiatives in the Office of Research and Economic Development, assistant professor of strategic communication in the Missouri School of Journalism, and executive director of the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS), which is housed at MU
• Cheryl S. Rosenfeld, professor of biomedical sciences in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine

While their interests range from the study of bacteria to reproductive biology, what unites each of these researchers is shared determination to create incredible breakthroughs that make the world a better place. Congratulations to them all!

— Mun

MU celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jan. 24, 2022

Today at 7 p.m., I hope everyone will attend our annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy.

This year’s theme is “Spoken Word: Facing the Challenges of Tomorrow” and features keynote speaker Ashley M. Jones, Alabama’s poet laureate. This all-virtual event is a chance for our community to come together and reflect on Dr. King’s mission, timeless teachings and inspiring example.

During the event, we’ll also honor a Boone County resident or group with the MLK Community Award for extraordinary leadership in furthering the goal of achieving greater diversity in the community.

— Mun

Mizzou researchers prepared the way for pig-to-human heart transplant

Jan. 21, 2022

You may have heard the news that surgeons in Baltimore transplanted a pig heart into a human patient. But did you know that the breakthrough technology (gene edited “knockout” pigs) that makes the procedure possible was pioneered at Mizzou?

Randall Prather, Curators’ Distinguished Professor and director of the National Swine Resource & Research Center, recently published an op-ed in the Baltimore Sun outlining the history of this groundbreaking research and how discoveries with knockout pigs (which included making them glow) eventually led to a lifesaving transplant.

Dr. Prather and his team continue their work as leaders in the field of pig genetics. I’m proud to see them so prominently recognized for their accomplishments and to be part of a culture of innovation that makes the impossible possible.

— Mun

Tiger teacher recognized at State of the State Address

Jan. 21, 2022

Earlier this week, I was honored to attend Governor Mike Parson’s State of the State Address in Jefferson City.

During his remarks, I was also thrilled to hear him acknowledge Beth Houf, a Mizzou graduate (and Rolla native) who was recently named the National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Afterwards, I was able to meet Principal Houf and congratulate her on this achievement.

There are Tigers all over our state doing incredible things and making a difference. Principal Houf is a great example of Mizzou excellence in action.

— Mun

Tigers get involved

Jan. 19, 2022

As the semester begins, it’s a perfect time to find new ways to engage with your fellow Tigers. With more than 600 student organizations on campus, there are so many ways to meet new people and give back to our community.

A great way to get started is by attending some virtual events for this year’s Winter Involvement Week. Opportunities include:

• A goal planning and organization workshop

• Getting started in undergraduate research and creative scholarship

• Mizzou Alternative Breaks information session

Additionally, you can always schedule time to talk with our student Involvement Ambassadors who can help match your interests with the right organization.

Whether you’re new on campus or a longtime Tiger, I hope you’ll find a way to get out and get involved.

– Mun

Here’s to our graduates!

Dec. 16, 2021

Tomorrow, we begin our fall 2021 commencement ceremonies. I want to personally congratulate our more than 1,700 students who will receive nearly 2,000 degrees from schools and colleges across campus.

These students have already overcome so many challenges and shown true Tiger spirit and determination. I can’t wait to see how they bring our Mizzou values of Respect, Responsibility, Discover and Excellence to everything they accomplish.

Congratulations!

— Mun

Tiger leadership

Dec. 13, 2021

I stopped in to see the final poster presentations from the students in our Chancellor’s Leadership Class. Our Novak Leadership Institute runs this course for first-year students and uses practical, proven strategies to help them develop people skills and build confidence.

Students designed their team project to promote topics and resources that are important to the Mizzou community, such as Tiger Pantry, Homecoming and sustainability. Our students showed how they are using what they’ve learned to become better communicators and leaders.

I can’t wait to see what these students accomplish next.

— Mun

Tyler Badie named Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Dec. 7, 2021

Congratulations to Tiger running back Tyler Badie, who was voted SEC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the league’s head coaches.

Tyler demonstrates the excellence of our student-athletes. Not only is he one of the best running backs in the country, he’s also a highly respected graduate student in our Department of Educational, School & Counseling Psychology.

I’m so proud of Tyler for his academic and athletic accomplishments! He’s a true Tiger! I look forward to seeing all of Mizzou Football in action again when they take on Army West Point for the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on December 22.

— Mun

Moving precision health forward

Dec. 6, 2021

It’s been almost two months since the grand opening of the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building, and it’s already serving as a hub for cross-disciplinary innovation. One important way we facilitate these connections is by inviting our NextGen researchers to publicly share their work with colleagues and our community.

At 4 p.m. today, Dr. Mahesh Thakkar, director of research for the Department of Neurology in the MU School of Medicine, will discuss how sleep can affect people recovering from PTSD. At noon tomorrow, we’ll host our latest NextGen Discovery Series talk with Giovanna Guidoboni, associate dean for research in the MU College of Engineering, who will share how engineers are helping to drive new precision health innovations.

These public, livestreamed talks are designed for multidisciplinary audiences and help us identify new collaborative opportunities. Building these interdisciplinary relationships are at the core of NextGen, and central to MizzouForward — our transformative, $1.5 billion investment in Mizzou’s continued research excellence.

— Mun