President Choi’s Blog
Golden Gala spotlights Missouri film, Broadway star Ginger Rogers
April 16, 2024
I joined Board Chair Robin Wenneker and members of the Mizzou community for a special Golden Gala honoring the life and fashion of film star – and Missouri native – Ginger Rogers.
Hosted by A&S, the gala was the culmination of an entire “Day of Ginger,” highlighting the Missouri Historic Costume & Textile Collection (MHCTC) and their new exhibition of Ginger Rogers’ distinctive costumes. The MHCTC, housed in the Department of Textile and Apparel Management (TAM), has an incredible collection of clothing and other items from Ginger’s long career on the screen and stage.
The gala was a throwback to the Golden Age of Hollywood and featured live music as well as performances by the Mizzou Ballroom Dance Club. Eight TAM students also showed their own pieces that were inspired by apparel from the collection.
Marge Padgitt, former owner and director of the Owens-Rogers House in Independence, Mo., as well as Roberta Olden, Ginger Rogers’ personal assistant, donated all items in the exhibition. We’re grateful for their trust and proud to share these historic objects with a new generation.
The MHCTC makes world-class research readily available to the Mizzou community as well as scholars from across the nation and world. I enjoyed celebrating the life of a notable Missourian and seeing the incredible creativity of our students.
— Mun
Celebrating our new student leaders
April 10, 2024
I joined more than 100 students, faculty and staff to celebrate the inauguration of three newly elected leaders of Mizzou’s undergraduate student government, the Missouri Students Association (MSA). Congratulations to President Clay Van Eaton, Vice President Emily Brockmann and Speaker of the Senate Maggie Funston. I also want to thank outgoing President Miyah Jones, Vice President Cydney Perkins and Speaker Danny Daugherty, as well as all involved in MSA for their incredible contributions to our community.
I rely on MSA leaders for their valuable input and collaboration on issues affecting all of campus. We’ve partnered together on many important initiatives, such as enhancing student success, expanding opportunities for student emergency funding, increasing mental health support, and so much more.
MSA embodies the principles of our university and makes a lasting impact on Mizzou. I look forward to working with these new student leaders.
— Mun
Recognizing Sen. Blunt and supporting agriculture in the Bootheel
April 9, 2024
Last Friday, I traveled to Mizzou’s Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center (FD-REEC) in Portageville for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roy Blunt Soil Testing and Research Laboratory. We were honored that former U.S. Sen. Blunt joined us for the celebration, as well as numerous state and university leaders who were critical to developing this important facility. Also attending were Shelly and Stacey, the wife and daughter of Jake Fisher – the longtime superintendent and namesake of the center who passed away last year.
When completed, the Roy Blunt Soil Testing and Research Laboratory will cover more than 6,000 square feet. Its advanced resources will combine the latest testing technology with science-based recommendations to positively impact Missouri agriculture. The services offered are unique and currently unavailable in the Bootheel region.
I want to recognize Sen. Blunt and his incredible commitment to Missouri farmers. I’m also grateful for our many additional supporters, including Mo. Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn, Mo. Sen. Jason Bean, former Mo. Rep. Don Rone, Curator Keith Holloway, CEO and Executive Director for the Missouri Soybean Association Gary Wheeler, CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Chris Daubert, Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement Chad Higgins and FD-REEC Advisory Board Chair Trent Haggard. Thanks also to the Delta Regional Authority, the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, Robert Cook and Laura Collins with the Southeast Missouri Regional Water District and the FD-REEC Advisory Board, as well as the center’s dedicated staff.
We are thrilled to bring this incredible resource to the Bootheel. We’re also pleased to honor Sen. Blunt’s enduring advocacy for science and agriculture in our state.
— Mun
Model Tigers at the United Nations
April 8, 2024
(Back row, left to right) John “Tommy” Jackson, Maggie Funston, Matt Jackson, Lucas Warren, Jalen Frazier, Gwen Blevins, Amelie Vogt
Mizzou Model UN made quite an impact at the 2024 National Model UN Conference in New York City. Our students were recognized as an Outstanding Delegation – the conference’s highest honor.
The 14 Mizzou team members prepared for about three months to effectively represent their assigned country, Namibia. The weeklong conference included schools from around the world and ended at the General Assembly building of the United Nations.
Congratulations to all our participants, including Mizzou Model UN President Maggie Funston and Head Delegates Gwen Blevins and Trey Trapani. I also want to recognize Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor Bill Horner for his support of the delegation.
Mizzou prepares students to lead our state, country – and even the United Nations. We’re so proud of the team’s accomplishments.
— Mun
Emmy-winning journalist visits MU community, honors Holocaust Remembrance Month
April 5, 2024
Congregation Beth Shalom, Mizzou Hillel and the Missouri School of Journalism recently welcomed Emmy-winning filmmaker, author and journalist Howard Reich for two days of events on and off campus.
Mr. Reich has written six books and produced three documentaries on issues related to the Holocaust, as well as arts and music. He was also a jazz critic at the Chicago Tribune for more than 40 years. Mr. Reich met with Mizzou journalism students and was the main speaker at several gatherings held in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Month.
On Wednesday, I attended his talk at Congregation Beth Shalom. The conversation was moderated by MU Professor of Journalism Amy Simons. Mr. Reich discussed his books investigating the Holocaust’s impact on his family and the life of his friend, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. On Thursday, Mr. Reich participated in a screening of his documentary “Prisoner of Her Past,” based on his mother’s experience surviving the Holocaust.
I am grateful to Professor Simons for helping organize these events and to Mr. Reich for sharing his important work with our community.
— Mun
Cultural exchange with the Islamic Center of Central Missouri
April 5, 2024
I was pleased to join members of the Islamic Center of Central Missouri (ICCM) for an iftar meal, marking the end of the daily fast during Ramadan. I was the guest of Dr. Semi Necibi, the ICCM Shura Council Chairman.
The ICCM was established in 1983 and is a place of worship, cultural exchange and education for our community. I enjoyed this opportunity to share a meal and learn more about their traditions.
I want to thank Dr. Necibi and the ICCM for the invitation and for their service to others.
— Mun
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