President Choi’s Blog
Awarding excellence in shared governance
April 4, 2024
I joined more than 110 colleagues for the spring General Faculty Meeting and shared an update on MU’s incredible momentum, including our record number of applicants and all-time high retention and graduation rates. Interim Provost Matt Martens provided an exciting MizzouForward update and partners from Ayers Saint Gross presented the latest information on our campus master plan. I appreciated hearing from faculty and the opportunity for open and candid conversations.
To conclude the meeting, MU Faculty Council announced the 2023-24 Shared Governance Awards. These recognitions honor individuals and groups who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to supporting the voice of faculty.
This year’s individual winner was Emily Leary, assistant professor and director of biostatistics in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Leary was recognized for raising the visibility of Faculty Affairs Council within the School of Medicine, among many other accomplishments. The group winner was MU Extension Faculty for their work to include Extension field faculty as full members in Faculty Council. Todd Lorenz, a regional field specialist in agronomy and a leading advocate for the change, accepted the award on the group’s behalf.
Shared governance is critical to the future of Mizzou and to the success of our land-grant mission. I’m proud to collaborate with faculty to achieve excellence in research, teaching and meaningful engagement that serves our students, Missouri and the world.
— Mun
Mizzou victorious at ‘College Chess Final Four’
April 2, 2024
Mizzou Chess earned top honors at the President’s Cup, known as the College Chess Final Four, adding another prestigious win to their record.
This is Mizzou’s second consecutive trip to the tournament. The competition was hosted by the University of Texas at Dallas, and MU competed against players from UT Dallas, UT Rio Grande Valley and Webster University. I’m proud our Tigers could end their successful season with a great victory.
Congratulations to team members Mikhail Antipov, Grigory Oparin, Luka Budisavljević and Harshit Raja, as well as Head Coach & Program Director Cristian Chirila. I also want to acknowledge Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield for their incredible commitment to the MU Chess Team.
We’ve secured our spot as the best chess program in the country.
— Mun
Marching Mizzou wins ‘Best Overall Band’ in Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade
March 22, 2024
Around 300 members of Marching Mizzou just returned from Dublin, Ireland where they won “Best Overall Band” at the 2024 St. Patrick’s Festival Parade. Marching Mizzou was chosen over 13 other participating bands.
During the two-hour parade, they performed for nearly 500,000 attendees and the many viewers who watched from around the world. Before Dublin, Marching Mizzou traveled to the town of Tipperary, where they marched in the local parade and celebrated our unique connection with the community. Mizzou’s fight song “Every True Son” is based on the classic tune to “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” There were also opportunities for students to visit historic sites around the country thanks to a collaboration with Mizzou Study Abroad.
Congratulations to Marching Mizzou on their accomplishment! I also want to recognize Director of Athletic Bands (and new William T. Kemper Fellow for Teaching Excellence) Amy M. Knopps, School of Music Director Jared Rawlings and College of Arts and Science Dean Cooper Drury for their support of our students.
Whether they’re performing in Memorial Stadium, New York City or internationally – Marching Mizzou makes us all proud to be Tigers.
— Mun
A central location for student health
March 19, 2024
Last week, we celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Student Health Center in Pershing Hall. Just steps from MizzouRec, its convenient location makes it easy for students to access medical treatment and find caring support for their physical and mental health. The new center opens on March 27.
The expanded facility is more than 16,500 square feet, including 41% more exam room space than before. The layout is specifically designed for efficient collaboration between providers and nurses – enhancing the quality of care. A dedicated team of nearly 45 professionals is ready to use the space’s unique resources to serve our community.
MU’s Student Health Center prioritizes access. Nearly all students receive an appointment the same day or the next day. Patient account representatives are available on-site, and our 24/7 nurse line (573-882-7481) is always there to help students whenever they need it.
We are grateful to MU Health Care for their collaboration on this project. I also want to thank Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Angela King Taylor, Executive Director of Student Health and Well-Being Jamie Shutter and Director of the Student Health Center Jim Parker for their leadership.
This incredible facility is an investment in the health and well-being of all students.
— Mun
Mizzou Chess champions
March 14, 2024
Earlier this year, the University of Missouri Chess Team achieved an impressive victory at the 2024 Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship. It was Mizzou’s first time winning this major tournament, which is considered the most prestigious collegiate chess event in the Americas.
To celebrate their incredible accomplishment, the team visited the Missouri Capitol and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe to have their success formally recognized. They were joined by dedicated Mizzou Chess supporters, Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield.
In the Senate chamber, Lt. Gov. Kehoe and Sen. Caleb Rowden commended the team and their outstanding representation of our state. Back on campus, they were also recognized at a Board of Curators meeting and during a Men’s Basketball game in Mizzou Arena.
Congratulations again to Coach Cristian Chirila and the Chess Team! Later this month, they head to the Dallas area for the 2024 President’s Cup Final Four of Chess tournament. I know our Tigers can win another historic championship in Texas.
Best of luck to the team. M-I-Z!
— Mun
Cotton Bowl trophy comes home
March 5, 2024
Last Saturday, during the men’s basketball game in Mizzou Arena, we celebrated THE University of Missouri Tiger football team and their incredible victory in the Cotton Bowl. On the court were Coach Eliah Drinkwitz, team members and coaching staff to accept the Field Scovell Trophy.
Joining the recognition were Board Chair Robin Wenneker, Curator Michael Williams and Interim AD Marcy Girton, as well as Cotton Bowl Athletic Association leaders Rick Baker, president/chief executive officer, and Finn Ewing III, member of the board of directors.
At the halftime ceremony, defensive lineman Johnny Walker Jr. was also awarded the Felix R. McKnight trophy for Most Valuable Defensive Player in the Cotton Bowl. Quarterback Brady Cook received the J. Sanford Trophy for Most Valuable Offensive Player. To conclude, we presented Rick Baker with a personalized Mizzou jersey to commemorate the Tigers’ 14-3 win over Ohio State University in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Mizzou student-athletes are the pride of our state. We’re thrilled to celebrate Mizzou Football and bring home a Cotton Bowl championship to Missouri. I’m confident that we’ll have even greater success in the future.
— Mun
Geyer Awards commend champions of higher education
Feb. 29, 2024
Each year, we proudly gather in the Governor’s Mansion to celebrate the Henry S. Geyer Awards. Given by the Mizzou Alumni Association, these awards applaud leaders who have made a positive impact on MU and higher education across the state.
On Tuesday, we honored our 2024 recipients:
• Chris Chinn, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture
• Caleb Jones, CEO of the Missouri Electric Cooperatives
• Tony Luetkemeyer, state senator representing Missouri’s 34th District
To recognize our winners, we were joined by Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Board of Curators Chair Robin Wenneker, Curator Michael Williams, more than 50 elected officials, as well as many friends and supporters of Mizzou.
Congratulations to our three new Geyer Award honorees! Their transformative work continues to make a difference and strengthen our land-grant mission.
— Mun
A great night for the arts at Mizzou
Feb. 27, 2024
Last Friday was the Chancellor’s Arts Showcase, Mizzou’s largest annual exhibition of student creativity. Nearly 100 students shared their work across a range of mediums — including the visual arts, architecture, music, theater and design — for an audience of more than 600 in the Missouri Theatre.
As always, I was impressed by the incredible student displays and the amazing live performances. We celebrated the winner of the 19th Sinquefield Composition Prize: Seda Balci, a master’s student in music composition. Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield recognized Seda on-stage, followed by the world premiere of her piece, “Merdiven.” Congratulations to Seda! I want to thank Curator Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield for their incredible support of new music at Mizzou.
We’re proud to have such an innovative and talented community on campus. The Chancellor’s Arts Showcase was a moving display of creative excellence.
— Mun
Higgins selected as leader for Extension and Engagement
Feb. 22, 2024
After a nationwide search, I’m pleased to name Chad Higgins as the UM System Chief Engagement Officer and MU Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement. Chad is a proven leader who has done a tremendous job as interim vice chancellor since January 2023. I look forward to working with him — and all Extension faculty and staff — to strengthen Missouri agriculture and benefit community health, education and economic development across the state.
Chad’s experience will help us share our land-grant mission of research, teaching and meaningful engagement with even more Missourians. We also have ambitious plans to grow our impact in each Missouri county, and we are collaborating with elected officials, industry leaders and community members to make a difference for those we serve.
I want to again congratulate Chad and thank our dedicated Extension faculty and staff for their hard work on behalf of every Missourian.
— Mun
Serving with excellence
Feb. 13, 2024
MUPD has a proud tradition of distinguished service that has once again been recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). For 22 years in a row, MUPD has received accreditation from CALEA. This year they also achieved a prestigious “Meritorious with Excellence” distinction for the first time.
CALEA is the gold standard for public safety, and reaccreditation with excellence reflects a comprehensive commitment to the highest levels of professionalism. This is an incredible accomplishment and shows MUPD’s dedication to transparency and collaboration around campus.
Congratulations to Chief Weimer, Sergeant Stroer and all of MUPD for promoting a safe, welcoming community at Mizzou.
— Mun