University of Missouri
Provost Blog

Nov. 22, 2023

What’s Special about our MU Honors College?

Catherine Rymph speaks at the "Toast to Honors” celebration in November. We live in interesting times, when the voices that question the role of higher education and the value of a college degree are gaining momentum.  We are told that the return on your investment in college depends on the choice of your major.  The…

Oct. 26, 2023

Fall 2023 Student Success Retreat

As we all know, Mizzou has a history of rich traditions and practices. For instance, the practice of homecoming originated here.  A few years ago, we added a new tradition that has now become a part of every fall semester – our Student Success Retreat. True to this tradition, we hosted our 2023 retreat on…

Oct. 26, 2023

Geology of the Columns

What can we learn about the history of our planet from Mizzou’s most recognizable landmark, our columns? More importantly, how can we pass on our knowledge of ecological history to the next generation in a way that piques their interest?  Geological Sciences Associate Professors Dr. John Huntley and Dr. Jim Schiffbauer were the first dual…

Oct. 26, 2023

Happenings Around Mizzou: The 2023 Maxine Christopher Shutz Award

George Smith, Provost Ramchand, Pamela Brown, David Shulz, Cooper Drury, and Catherine Rymph at the Shutz Lecture. This past week, we honored our 2023 Maxine Christopher Shutz Award recipient: Dr. Pamela Brown, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at MU. The Shutz Lecture is made possible by the generosity of Mrs. Maxine Christopher, the first woman…

Oct. 16, 2023

Happenings Around Mizzou: Ombudsperson

Working with our Faculty Council (FC), and with input from a committee that was tasked to explore and recommend the ombuds role for MU, we are pleased to recruit Dr. Pam Bruzina as MU’s Faculty Ombudsperson. Dr. Bruzina is not new to our campus and has served in various capacities. She is a professor of nutrition and exercise physiology in…

Oct. 13, 2023

Happenings Around Mizzou: Can You Afford to Not be a Humanist?

Center for the Humanities Launch at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Abbie Lankitus/University of Missouri On Thursday, September 28th, 2023, MU celebrated the launch of the Center for the Humanities.  This center’s mission statement captures the essence of the role of humanists in our quest for knowledge: “Humanists engage in unique practices of worldmaking.”…

Oct. 13, 2023

Happenings Around Mizzou: It’s All Here, in our Data Repository

Want to learn about the number and geographical distribution of K-12 schools in the state of Missouri? Or know the number and distribution of dialysis centers around the state? Or see a visual of all the road routes in MO?  These and literally hundreds of other data sets including “vector data, aerial photography, and LiDAR…

Sept. 22, 2023

Happenings Around Mizzou: Learning is a Two-Way Street

University mission statements are generally tied to research, instruction, and service.  Faculty create knowledge through research, they share this body of knowledge via instruction, and the research helps improve our communities through service.  At the same time, as many of us know, our classrooms allow for learning that is multidirectional – students learn from each…

Sept. 22, 2023

Happenings Around Mizzou: Helping Farmers Gain Autonomy

CAFNR unveils a new Monarch tractor — an all electric, autonomous tractor and the first in the Midwest — at Sanborn Field, Sep 5, 2023. Abbie Lankitus/University of Missouri MU recently received funding to purchase a Monarch MK-V Tractor — the first electric, autonomous tractor available to a university in the U.S. The funds, thanks…

Sept. 22, 2023

Happenings Around Mizzou: First Patients

“Being able to honor them and care for them throughout my first year is something I will never forget.” Anya Rahman, M2, Student at MU’s School of Medicine Last month, I had the privilege of participating in a very special event at Mizzou.  On August 11, our medical students got to better know their “first…