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

Supporting our local Boy Scouts

Feb. 22, 2022

This morning I served as Master of Ceremonies for the 2022 Patron Breakfast, an event that brought together more than 400 local supporters of the Boy Scouts of America’s Great Rivers Council.

The Great Rivers Council is headquartered in Columbia and serves 33 counties in central and northern Missouri. Their work empowers people from all backgrounds to get active and make the world a better place. It’s a mission of service that aligns well with our own at the University of Missouri, which is always seeking new ways to help our state and citizens.

I know firsthand how scouting organizations help prepare the leaders of tomorrow. I was proud to show my support and to come together for the good of our community.

— Mun

Mizzou Gymnastics wins big (twice)

Feb. 21, 2022

On Sunday, our Mizzou Gymnastics team recorded double SEC wins — besting both Arkansas and LSU in a unique “tri-meet” where all three teams performed at the same time.

I want to congratulate our talented student-athletes, as well as Head Coach Shannon Welker. Watching the camaraderie of our gymnasts — as well as the support of coaches and fans — was incredible!

It was great to share in all the excitement as we cheered our Tigers on to victory. I look forward to another win when they take on Alabama this Friday. M-I-Z!

— Mun

Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow

Feb. 18, 2022

Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT) invited me and a few MU faculty members to address their most recent class of budding agricultural leaders. It was great to see their enthusiasm and to share how MU can help support their important work.

ALOT provides its members with international experience, networking opportunities and an expanded understanding of agribusiness issues in-state and beyond, which explains why so many have become leaders in Missouri’s agricultural industry and government. With more than 400 ALOT alumni across Missouri, I was grateful for this opportunity to build new partnerships that will strengthen communities for years to come.

— Mun

Roundtable with Reed-Francois on women leaders in athletics

Feb. 17, 2022

On Thursday, I joined Desiree Reed-Francois, MU’s director of athletics, as well as university and industry leaders from across the country for roundtable discussions hosted by Women Leaders in College Sports and the NCAA. Together, we considered the importance of inclusive applicant pools, how to find (and hire) the best people and ways candidates can prepare for executive level leadership positions. Leaders also discussed how to build a pipeline of talented candidates from all backgrounds.

Athletic Director Reed-Francois has a bold vision to grow our championship culture at Mizzou — while also supporting our incredible student-athletes. It was great to celebrate her work as well as our collective efforts to build a welcoming campus.

We were proud to participate in these conversations and we know there’s always more we can do. We are committed to creating an inclusive learning, living and working environment where all Tigers can achieve excellence.

— Mun

Recognizing our 2022 Geyer awardees

Feb. 16, 2022

Each year, the Mizzou Alumni Association presents the Geyer Award to those who have made an impact on MU and higher education. Later today, I’m traveling to the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City to join Gov. Mike Parson in celebrating our 2022 recipients: Sen. Dan Hegeman and Dave Griggs.

Both are longtime advocates for our mission of learning, research and engagement. They’ve also been important partners as we prepare Missouri’s workforce for the future.

I’m grateful for this opportunity to recognize two champions of education throughout the state.

— Mun

Courtside with our Kemper Fellows

Feb. 12, 2022

At tonight’s Tiger basketball game, we highlighted a few of our 2020 and 2021 Kemper Fellows.

Every year, the William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence honors five outstanding faculty members for their impact on Mizzou students. We were glad that some of our past winners could join me, Curator Darryl Chatman and Steve Sowers, president and CEO of Commerce Bank Central Region, on Norm Stewart Court for a round of applause from Tiger fans.

Together, we were proud to recognize:

2020 Kemper Fellows

• Libby Cowgill, associate professor of anthropology in the College of Arts and Science
• Daryl Smith, associate teaching professor of management in the Trulaske College of Business

2021 Kemper Fellows

• Antoinette Landor, associate professor in the College of Human Environmental Sciences
• Marty Steffens, professor and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers endowed chair at the Missouri School of Journalism

Congratulations to all. Later this spring, we will announce our 2022 Kemper Fellows.

— Mun

Governor hosts higher ed roundtable at MU

Feb. 11, 2022

It was a busy morning at the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building. I was happy to welcome Governor Mike Parson — and more than 20 of Missouri’s elected officials and education leaders — for a roundtable discussion on building the workforce of tomorrow.

Governor Parson reiterated his bold vision for higher education and encouraged us to continue finding collaborative solutions to the problems facing Missourians. I highlighted a few of the many ways we deliver for citizens, including our push for rural broadband coverage, our dual-enrollment program with Moberly Area Community College and the incredible work of the University of Missouri Research Reactor (currently the only U.S. supplier of five life-saving radiopharmaceutical isotopes used in cancer and cardiac drugs).

After concluding the group discussion (and before the Governor toured NextGen) I presented him with a Mizzou Football helmet from the Armed Forces Bowl in appreciation of his support and his service as a veteran.

It’s essential that we’re good stewards of state support and create more opportunities for our citizens. It’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. A recent report noted that taxpayer investment in Mizzou results in a $5 billion return for the state.

I want to again thank Governor Parson, and our many partners throughout Missouri, for helping us prepare the next generation for the future.

— Mun