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MUAA President Debbie
Snellen. Photo courtesy of MU Publications and Alumni Communication
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Tiger
Pride Points
As we enter a new year and the anniversary
of the founding of the University of Missouri on Feb. 11, I call
on fellow alumni, parents, students, boosters, the business community,
and Tiger fans to focus on our many successes, from which we all
benefit. There are so many positives about Mizzou, it is hard
to narrow the list, but these are my personal top ten reasons
for supporting MU.
- Thanks to the quality and unique
education offered at a major research university, MU
broke enrollment records for first-time freshmen (4,669), for undergraduate students
(20,441), and for total enrollment (26,805).
- MU is No. 1 in the country among the nation’s
most prestigious public universities in growth in federal
research support over the last five years. This means significant
new dollars flowing into the Missouri economy that create
jobs and generate economic benefit for Missourians. Million
dollar examples from the past six months are:
- $10.4 million — National
Swine Research Center (National Institutes
of Health)
- $10
million — Cancer Imaging Center
(NIH)
- $10 million — National
Center for Math Education (National
Science Foundation)
- $8.5
million — Regional Biosafety
Research Lab (NIH)
- $4 million — develop Missouri
Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training
Center (U.S. Department of Education)
- $3.4 million — cardiovascular
research (NIH)
- $3 million — nuclear science
(Department of Energy)
- $1.3 million — nanoscience
research (NSF)
- $1 million for — National
Soybean Biotechnology Center
- Since 2000 MU has been one of the nation’s
top 15 universities in life sciences funding from the National
Science Foundation and is in the top 10 in plant genomics funding.
We attract 72 percent of all federal research dollars that flow
to Missouri’s public universities and are the leader in
the state for breadth and depth in life sciences research to
improve health, food and the environment.
- MU is a national leader in comparative
medicine. Because animals and humans develop many of the same
diseases, they often benefit from similar treatments. For example,
Kristina Narfstrom, MU’s Kraeuchi Professor of Veterinary
Ophthalmology, is conducting gene therapy research on dogs born
with a hereditary retinal disease. Dr. Narfstrom hopes that
a similar therapy will be ready for use within the next two
years in humans who face blindness from this disease.
- MU’s Show-Me Opera, with its production
of Corps of Discovery: A Musical Journey, participated
in the national kickoff of our nation’s commemoration
of the Lewis and Clark expedition at the University of Virginia.
- Mizzou programs rank among the Top 10 in
the nation: Exercise Physiology, Law/Dispute Resolution, Family
and Community Medicine, Counseling Psychology, Creative Writing,
Veterinary Biomedical Science, Journalism, School Guidance,
and Health Management and Informatics.
- Our living and learning communities and
freshman interest groups were recognized as among the best programs
in the nation for incoming students by U.S. News and World
Report. MU was the only Big 12 school to be recognized
in three categories focusing on student experiences in college.
- Alumni and friends have contributed $347,998,736
toward our comprehensive campaign goal of $600 million to support
students, faculty, programs and facilities.
- Mizzou has more than 400 student-athletes
involved in 20 sports in the state’s only Division I-A
athletic program. These student-athletes study hard and play
hard, generating positive visibility for our University. The
2002-03 season was a banner year for the Tigers with a 37th
overall finish in the U.S. Sports Academy Director's Cup standings,
the best ever finish in Mizzou history. I plan to be there to
cheer the Tigers on whenever possible.
- Mizzou attracts the best and brightest
students. This year’s freshman class boasts an ACT average
of 25.4, compared with the national average of 20.8 and the
state average of 21.4. Nearly one-third come from the top 10
percent of their high school classes, and half come from the
top 20 percent.
The University opened the doors of opportunity
for me, and I continue to benefit from the many relationships
I have established over the years. Mizzou’s strength is
my strength.
Happy New Year, Mizzou!
Deborah Snellen
President, MU Alumni Association
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An equal opportunity/ADA institution.
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Last Update:
November 15, 2007
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