President Choi’s Blog
Remembering our Gift of Body donors
Sep. 5, 2024
I was honored to attend the MU School of Medicine’s annual Gift of Body Commemoration. This moving event expresses our profound gratitude to those who donate their bodies for the advancement of medical science and education. It is also an opportunity to thank donors’ family members for entrusting their loved ones to our care. This year we honored 57 donors and more than 70 family members were in attendance, along with School of Medicine students, faculty and staff.
Held in the Patient-Centered Care Learning Center, families were presented with a yellow rose and had an opportunity to share memories with our School of Medicine community. There were also memorials, family photos, remarks by medical student and donor family member Diana Wagner, as well as a musical performance by medical students Zuri St. Julien and Rebekah Colacot.
I want to thank everyone at the School of Medicine who organized this important event, including Dr. Kevin Flaherty (Gift of Body program director), Dr. Allison Nesbitt (Gift of Body committee member), Shannon Eierman (Gift of Body program coordinator), Shawn Owens (Gift of Body committee member) as well as Carli Hensley and Kaylee Lewis (2024 Gift of Body co-chairs).
We are proud to honor our Gift of Body donors and their incredible commitment to others.
— Mun
Welcome to Mizzou!
Aug. 29, 2024
Last week I joined students, faculty and staff at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center (GOBCC) for the Welcome Black & Gold BBQ. This much-anticipated event is hosted by the GOBCC in collaboration with the Legion of Black Collegians and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Approximately 850 attended, and I enjoyed talking with attendees and welcoming our new and returning Tigers to Mizzou. The BBQ was the perfect way to have fun, meet new people and celebrate the first week of classes – along with great food and a live DJ.
The Welcome Black & Gold BBQ is one of many opportunities to get involved by connecting with the Mizzou community, and it was a great way to kick off another successful year.
—Mun
Sharing our Mizzou community
Aug. 28, 2024
I enjoyed meeting with new and returning Tour Team students at their annual training. Tour Team members are at the forefront of introducing new and prospective Tigers to campus while also sharing the incredible impact of our community. Last year, Tour Team provided more than 3,600 tours to nearly 33,500 visitors.
This fall, they welcomed 50 new guides – the largest class in the organization’s history. Together, we discussed the many ways to get involved at Mizzou, including opportunities for undergraduate research that prepare students for Ph.D. programs. I encouraged guides to share with visitors that Mizzou cares about each student and we are ready to support their success starting day one.
As the semester begins, I’ve been meeting with many other groups of students. To date, these include the Missouri Students Association, Graduate Professional Council, Legion of Black Collegians, Muslim Students’ Organization, Mizzou Young Democratic Socialists of America and Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine. Each shared their thoughts on important issues, and we discussed how to continue keeping our campus welcoming and safe for those representing all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
At Mizzou, there are so many ways to get involved and make a difference, while upholding our commitment to civil discourse and intellectual pluralism. This environment promotes respectful debate that explores differing views of complex topics and enables all of us to achieve excellence. By working with student-leaders, we ensure our campus remains a vibrant place where all can share their voice while supporting one another.
— Mun
Supporting agriculture in the Bootheel and beyond
Aug. 27, 2024
I enjoyed attending the annual field day events at MU’s T.E. “Jake” Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center (FD-REEC). Together with community members and officials from across Missouri, we celebrated the center’s incredible impact on producers in the Bootheel, throughout the state and beyond.
Over two days, we also showed our appreciation for the center’s strong legislative support. Thanks to Missouri’s elected leaders, we’re making critical updates to the facility, including breaking ground on the Roy Blunt Soil Testing and Research Lab and beginning an important renovation to our cotton lab, which will provide improved resources to serve Missouri producers. We also presented Gov. Mike Parson with a commemorative FD-REEC shovel in acknowledgement of his great support for the center throughout his time as governor.
On Friday, Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins helped honor local families celebrating their Century Farm designations, and we publicly expressed our gratitude to those who support Fisher Delta’s teaching, research and outreach through the Club of 1000.
I want to thank the many leaders in attendance, including U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Mo. Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, Mo. Sen. Jason Bean and Mo. Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn. I’m also grateful for UM Board Chair Robin Wenneker, Vice Chair Todd Graves, Curator Keith Holloway, Curator Lyda Krewson, Curator Robert Fry as well as CAFNR Dean & Vice Chancellor Chris Daubert, Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement Chad Higgins, FD-REEC Advisory Board Chair Trent Haggard, FD-REEC Director Aaron Brandt and all who helped organize another successful field day.
As Missouri’s land-grant university, we’re proud to play our part in strengthening producers all over the state. I’m excited to see what breakthroughs our Extension researchers will make in the years ahead.
— Mun
Stitching connections: Missouri State Fair highlights 4-H, Mizzou’s statewide impact
Aug. 23, 2024
The Missouri State Fair wrapped up last weekend in Sedalia, and Mizzou was proud to have been in the center of the fun. Each day at Mizzou Central and across the fairgrounds, MU students, faculty and staff shared the transformative research, teaching and engagement of our 13 schools and colleges with thousands of attendees.
We also helped highlight the skill and hands-on learning of students in Missouri 4-H, one of many impactful MU Extension programs. Among the talented 4-H exhibitors was Julianna Gardner, a 17-year-old active in the Moniteau County 4-H club who has been quilting since second grade. Julianna showed two quilts, including one with an elaborate Mizzou theme. Julianna spent over 60 hours on the quilt and its detailed paw print-shaped stitching. Her quilt is so impressive that we are working with Julianna and her family to display it on campus.
Julianna’s work is part of 76 quilting projects featured in the 4-H Building, along with 3,611 submissions across a range of areas, including science & technology, livestock, baked goods, woodworking and so much more. Altogether, more than 3,200 4-H youth from 8 to 18 submitted displays. Congratulations to Julianna and all who shared their hard work!
From hands-on experience with 4-H to providing lifesaving radioisotopes from our research reactor (MURR), Mizzou has a direct impact on the lives of Missourians. We are proud to support opportunity, creativity and excellence at the State Fair and throughout the year in each Missouri community.
— Mun
Advancing agriculture and much more at the Missouri State Fair
Aug. 12, 2024
Last week, we were proud to kick off the 2024 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia by once again hosting Mizzou Day. It was an honor to participate in the opening ceremony with Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn and other community leaders to celebrate Missouri as well as our state’s top economic driver, agriculture, and so much more!
Throughout Missouri, CAFNR and Extension work alongside producers and industry partners to support the state’s ag industry and contribute to Mizzou’s $5 billion economic impact. But, this year’s celebration involved so much more.
The CAFNR booth in Mizzou Central showcases family-friendly events, as well as information on CAFNR’s 14 degree programs. Opening day was represented by Food Science & Nutrition.
We had every single college represented (including CAFNR, Law, Engineering, Arts & Science, Trulaske Business, Education & Human Development, Nursing, Vet Medicine, Health Sciences, Journalism and Medicine). Our world-class nuclear research reactor (MURR) also displayed the newest innovations in cancer fighting treatments. Through our teaching, research and engagement, we make a difference to more than 1.2 million.
The State Fair continues through this week, so make sure to visit Mizzou Central – your one-stop destination for all things Mizzou – to learn more about our land-grant mission and how we serve each Missouri community.
— Mun
(Left to right) Chelseá Mitchell, director of the Criminal Practice Clinic; Dean Hargett, coordinator of admissions and recruitment; President Choi; Don Seitz, director of the Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic; and Paul Litton, dean of Mizzou Law. Among other services, the Mizzou Law booth in Mizzou Central provides information about the school’s four free legal clinics.
We’re going to shock the world – again!
Aug. 6, 2024
I enjoyed meeting with Mizzou Football student-athletes and coaches during their fall camp. It was incredible to see the talent and determination of the team as they prepare for another historic season.
Mizzou Football is ready to build on last year’s 11-2 record and Cotton Bowl win. I know we will once again shock the world, bring home championships and make all Missourians proud.
I can’t wait for kickoff at our home opener against the Murray State Racers on August 29!
M-I-Z!
— Mun
Showcasing a world of music
Aug. 1, 2024
I enjoyed attending the Mizzou International Composers Festival (MICF), an annual event organized by the Mizzou New Music Initiative that connects our community with renowned performers and important figures in contemporary music.
Over six days, the festival welcomed incredible talent to venues across Columbia. Concerts included music by MICF Distinguished Guest Composers George Lewis and Mary Kouyoumdjian, as well as pieces by former MICF Guest Composer Andrew Norman, John Orfe and MU Composition Professor Stefan Freund.
Mizzou is an international destination for the creation and performance of new music thanks to our accomplished faculty, including Professor Freund, the initiative’s artistic director. We’re also grateful for the visionary support of Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield and Rex Sinquefield, who established the Mizzou New Music Initiative in 2005. MU now offers one of the leading composition programs in the nation.
Congratulations to the Mizzou New Music Initiative and the School of Music on another year of memorable performances.
— Mun
Tigers go for gold
July 17, 2024
Our Tigers are ready to compete at the highest level, including at the upcoming Summer Paralympic Games in Paris.
Amaris Vazquez Collazo is a Mizzou sophomore studying social work and is representing Puerto Rico in the long jump and a metered dash event. Amaris transferred to Mizzou last spring and has worked since she was 8 to achieve her dream of competing for gold. Another Mizzou Paralympian, Lee Melymick, is a member of the Canada Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team – as well as the Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball Team. Lee also transferred to Mizzou and is a senior studying chemical engineering. He previously competed for Canada at the Paralympics in Tokyo.
Amaris and Lee will be joined by several Tiger alumni in both the Paralympic and Olympic games, including:
Paralympics
- Colin Higgins, Canada, wheelchair basketball
- Scott Meyer, United States, wheelchair basketball assistant coach
Olympics
- Karissa Schweizer, United States, track and field
- Mary Theisen-Lappen, United States, weightlifting
- Mikel Schreuders, Aruba, swimming
- Clement Secchi, France, swimming
I’m thrilled to cheer on all our incredible Tiger athletes.
— Mun
Thanking Missouri’s elected leaders for their support
July 1, 2024
I am grateful to Missouri Governor Mike Parson for approving a 3% core funding increase to the UM System for FY25, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth. I also want to thank Senate President Caleb Rowden, Senate Majority Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, Senate Budget Chair Lincoln Hough, House Speaker Dean Plocher, House Majority Floor Leader Jonathan Patterson, House Budget Chair Cody Smith and the rest of our elected leaders in the Senate and House for their incredible support of our mission.
This historic investment recognizes the UM System’s 13-to-1 return for taxpayers, as well as our commitment to addressing the health, economic and workforce needs of Missouri. To grow our transformative impact, MU will receive $138 million for important capital projects advancing NextGen radiopharmaceuticals, animal science and health care engineering. Additional support will benefit Missouri agriculture, veterans, workforce development and many other MU and Extension initiatives across the state.
We take our responsibility to Missouri taxpayers seriously. We’re proud to deliver more value to those we serve and to partner with elected officials to strengthen each Missouri community.
— Mun