Engaging alumni in New York City

Oct. 15, 2024

We recently hosted another memorable It Begins at Mizzou alumni event, this time in the heart of New York City. It was great sharing our incredible impact with New York alumni who know firsthand the power of a Mizzou education.

Our main panel discussion explored Mizzou’s commitment to civil discourse and featured Law School Dean Paul Litton, Director of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy Jay Sexton and Ella Rose Ferguson, a junior studying political science and constitutional democracy. Together, they shared how Mizzou encourages students to tackle society’s toughest challenges while promoting intellectual pluralism and mutual respect.

Guests also had a chance to connect with talented students in the Cornell Leadership Program. Program participants were in town for Tigers on Wall Street, a week-long opportunity to tour and learn more about industry-leading companies, including Meta, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone and many others.

While in New York, I also met with some of our most dedicated supporters, including Chuck Wall, Sandy Sharp and Dan Arnall. We were pleased to highlight our progress and to discuss new ways we can work together to ensure excellence for those we serve in Missouri and across the nation.

Thank you to all who attended and showed their passion for the University of Missouri. I look forward to our next stop in Houston!

— Mun

Chicago alumni connect with Mizzou-Made entrepreneurs

Oct. 8, 2024

Mizzou is on the rise, and the nation is taking notice. Our momentum is undeniable, so we’re bringing our story on the road with It Begins at Mizzou – a series of events that connect alumni directly with exceptional MU faculty, staff and students.

We recently stopped in Chicago where around 100 Tigers turned out to celebrate Mizzou’s impact on society. Beginning the evening’s program was Paul Vogel, who described his own Mizzou Made success story. Paul and his wife, Lynn Ann, are proven leaders, and we’re grateful for their enduring commitment to our community, including a transformative investment in the Trulaske College of Business announced last month.

We also highlighted innovative programs like Entrepreneur Quest (EQ), a competition where students pitch business ideas and receive funds to make their dreams a reality. During a great panel discussion, recent graduates Blake Brown and Michelle Gershkovich shared how winning EQ awards helped launch their respective businesses, BTB Kicks and ALLTER. Fellow panelist and Executive Director of Entrepreneur Programs Greg Bier described how Mizzou helps student-entrepreneurs like Blake and Michelle develop the confidence and resilience they need to achieve excellence.

I enjoyed celebrating our community and gathering with so many Chicago alumni. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to meeting with more loyal Mizzou supporters across the country.

— Mun

Mizzou’s 2024 United Way campaign kicks off 

Oct. 1, 2024

Last week was the kickoff for our annual United Way donation campaign. Our partners from Heart of Missouri United Way were on hand to celebrate our impact with more than 150 students, faculty and staff.

Each year, we partner with United Way to give back to our community and support some of the most vulnerable in our area. Last year we raised nearly $475,000, exceeding our goal of $460,000. We’ve set an ambitious goal this year to raise $500,000 by December 13. Your support makes a real difference as 99 cents of every dollar donated stays in Missouri.

We’ve worked with United Way for more than 75 years to support our fellow Missourians. Both Mizzou and Heart of Missouri United Way are committed to bettering the lives of everyone in our community.

— Mun

2024 State of the University: Achieving Excellence

Sep. 25, 2024

During today’s State of the University address, I shared Mizzou’s incredible momentum with a full Jesse Auditorium and more than 1,500 streaming online. As a community, we celebrated students, faculty, staff and supporters who are making a difference. We also heard powerful stories of our university’s life-changing outreach.

Central to our growing impact is MizzouForward and its transformative investments in student success, groundbreaking research and infrastructure growth. The results speak for themselves: Mizzou was just ranked the #4 best value among all U.S. flagships by U.S. News and World Report and the #1 best value among all flagship universities in the SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and PAC-12.

I was proud to highlight our impressive growth and to preview the future of Mizzou’s teaching, research and engagement mission. It was an honor to publicly recognize our many accomplishments, and I want to thank each member of the MU community for your dedication to achieving excellence. M-I-Z!
 
— Mun

Arts After Hours displays A&S creativity and community 

Sep. 24, 2024

Last week, the College of Arts and Science hosted Arts After Hours, a new event that showcases the collaborative spirit of A&S. Community members were invited to take a self-guided art walk while checking out exhibits and live events around Lowry Mall.

Visitors enjoyed a variety of displays from A&S programs, including the Laws Observatory, the Department of Architectural Studies, the George Caleb Bingham Gallery, the Missouri Historic Costume and Textile Collection, Ellis Library, the Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Art & Archaeology. Students from the School of Music performed outdoors throughout the evening, and Mizzou Theatre hosted a Q&A with Broadway playwright Keenan Scott II. 

A&S is committed to bringing the best of Mizzou to our community and engaging with those on campus and beyond. I was impressed by the range of excellence displayed by our talented students. 

— Mun

Accountancy gift celebrates power of Mizzou education 

Sep. 20, 2024

On Thursday, we announced a remarkable gift from Paul and Lynn Ann Vogel to our School of Accountancy in the Trulaske College of Business. 

Their support will provide unmatched experiences to our accountancy students, including scholarships, academic advising and career placement services. Thanks to their generosity, we will also appoint another full-time accountancy faculty member to advance our programs and prepare students to achieve excellence. We were proud to announce that our existing master’s program will be named the Paul and Lynn Ann Vogel Master of Accountancy Program in their honor. 

The Vogels know the power of a Mizzou education. Paul Vogel is a prominent MU alumnus from the School of Accountancy and Mizzou Law. He remains deeply connected to campus, including as a member of the Trulaske Dean’s Advisory Board. Together, the Vogels achieved incredible career success and are now dedicated to making a difference for a new generation of Tigers. 

Supporters like Paul and Lynn Ann Vogel ensure we attract world-class faculty and prepare students to lead our state and nation. We are grateful for their generosity and enduring commitment to Mizzou. 

— Mun

One week from State of the University!

Sep. 18, 2024

You are invited to the 2024 State of the University address next Wednesday, September 25 at 10 a.m. in Jesse Auditorium.

During the event, you’ll learn more about our incredible momentum, hear firsthand stories of Mizzou’s impact and preview exciting initiatives ahead. You can also take a picture with the Cotton Bowl trophy, enjoy Buck’s Ice Cream, tour our Mobile Simulation truck and much more. If you’re not able to join in-person, be sure to watch via our livestream.

State of the University is a celebration of all our community has accomplished, as well as our ambitious plans to continue achieving excellence. I hope to see you there!

— Mun

MU senior is top-ranked pickleball player

Sep. 13, 2024

Did you know that one of the world’s best pickleball players is also a Mizzou Tiger?

Dylan Frazier has played pickleball since he was 14 and is currently the #1 ranked player in men’s doubles. He turned pro shortly before arriving to Mizzou in 2020 and is now a senior majoring in business administration with a 4.0 GPA.

I enjoyed meeting with Dylan and hearing more about his many accomplishments on the court, including:

• Winning the 2024 U.S. Open Men’s Double Championship in Naples, Florida

• Achieving a top 10 ranking in singles

• Earning gold at the PPA Masters in Palm Springs, California in January and silver at the Las Vegas Pickleball Cup earlier this month

• Receiving 15+ medals (and counting) this year alone

We also discussed the concept of the game, its popularity and Dylan’s path to becoming a champion. I want to congratulate Dylan on his success and for being a great representative of Mizzou!

— Mun

Commemorating Patriot Day

Sep. 11, 2024

Today is Patriot Day, and we were proud to again partner with the City of Columbia to commemorate the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and to host a shared community remembrance ceremony. 

For this year’s gathering at Traditions Plaza, Provost Matthew Martens, Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and Captain Thomas Ulmer of Mizzou Naval ROTC shared personal tributes with those in attendance, and the Reynolds Hall bell was tolled 23 times in honor of each year since 9/11.

We were joined by many first responders and members of the military, including a Color Guard composed of representatives from Mizzou ROTC, MUPD, the Columbia Police Department and the Columbia Fire Department. There were also participants from Missouri Task Force One and the Mizzou Veterans Center, as well as a helicopter flyover by MU Health Care. 

I also want to acknowledge the many moving musical performances during the event, including the Boone County Fire Protection District Pipes and Drums, master’s student Connor Stratton, who sang the National Anthem, and both Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin, professor of trumpet, and master’s student Jesse Hamilton who played Taps at the ceremony’s conclusion. 

It was an honor to mark this solemn occasion with so many students, faculty, staff and community members who bravely serve others and our country. 

—  Mun

MURR awarded Hawthorn Foundation Project of the Year

Sep. 10, 2024

Last week, I joined Gov. Mike Parson – along with state and business leaders – in St. Louis to receive the Hawthorn Foundation Project of the Year Award for the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) and NextGen MURR. Accepting with me were MURR Executive Director Matt Sanford and NextGen MURR Program Director Michael Hoehn II.

MURR was recognized for the global impact of our radioisotope production and ongoing expansion, as well as our ambitious vision for NextGen MURR. Twice as powerful as our current research reactor, NextGen MURR will anchor a campus of facilities also housing government and industry partners working together to discover and produce new research isotopes and radiopharmaceutical treatments. NextGen MURR builds on MURR’s more than 50-year legacy of safety and excellence, while bringing even more opportunities to Missouri.

We are honored to receive this recognition and for the incredible support of our elected officials and industry partners. It was great gathering with so many state leaders to share our mission to save and improve lives – while also attracting new jobs and economic development to our region.

— Mun