Tigers at the Capitol

April 12, 2022

On Monday, I traveled to the State Capitol in Jefferson City for Undergraduate Research Day.

In the third-floor rotunda, 13 Tiger researchers presented projects as varied as using soy waste to create more sustainable pasta products, developing new radiopharmaceuticals and protecting Missouri wine grapes. They joined students from throughout the UM System – displaying the full range of innovation happening across the state.

Today’s research is tomorrow’s life-improving breakthrough. Undergraduate Research Day shows that students are already building the future of Missouri and upholding our shared mission of service.

It was great joining state elected officials and Capitol visitors to celebrate student research in such an impressive setting.

— Mun

Meet our MizzouForward faculty candidates

April 7, 2022

One of MizzouForward’s many ambitious goals is to hire 150 new faculty in key research areas by 2026. We’ve already made progress, and we continue to aggressively recruit world-class researchers who can contribute to our mission of improving lives. 

As part of the recruitment process, MizzouForward candidates are invited on campus to share their research and discuss its impact. These MizzouForward Keynote lectures allow our current faculty and students to engage with groundbreaking ideas and to spark new collaborations. 

There is a MizzouForward Keynote this afternoon, as well as several more next week. Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available. I hope you’ll attend and meet our accomplished candidates for yourself. 

— Mun

Illustrating ‘Indigenous Brilliance’

March 28, 2022

I recently ran into Joseph Erb, an assistant professor in the School of Visual Studies, on Francis Quadrangle. I had not seen him in person due to the pandemic. We connected about family and work and he shared his art project that is featured in the new First Americans Museum. 

The artwork, titled “Indigenous Brilliance,” is a digital illustration on copper panels spanning two stories. It references historical events as well as Native contributions in agriculture, astronomy and civil societies.  

The piece is a permanent installation at the First Americans Museum, one of the largest Indigenous museums in the United States. 

I can’t wait to visit Oklahoma City to see the artwork in person.

— Mun

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