Election Meeting Notice: RMT FY19 Board

Hey Tigers… Join us on election night!

The Rocky Mountain Tigers chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association is holding an election for its Board of Directors Tuesday, June 26 at 7:00 PM MDT at the Twin Dragon restaurant, 3021 S. Broadway in Englewood. 

The election coincides with RMT’s June Board of Directors meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend, and additional nominations at the meeting are permitted. Board members will serve July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019.

We’re still looking for a volunteer to fill the Secretary position – a terrific job for anyone interested in getting more involved with our chapter. If you’re interested in this role, or if you’re interested in volunteering in some other capacity, please contact Susan Mays directly at mizzcommunicate@gmail.com.

FY 2019 Slate of Officers and Directors – Rocky Mountain Tigers

  • Susan Mays, President
  • Mica Ward, Treasurer
  • OPEN, Secretary
  • Dan Wilinsky, Past President
  • Rusty Martin, Endowment Co-Chair
  • Doug Link, Endowment Co-Chair
  • Morgan Adrian, Events Chair
  • Caleb Phillips, Marketing Chair
  • Julie Bowden, Membership Chair
  • Sara Beth Adams, Scholarship Chair
  • Michael Brannen, SEC Chair
  • Rich Gould, Capstone Chair
  • Danny Collins, At Large
  • Roxane Engelbrecht, At Large / Colorado Springs

POSTPONED – Reception with Dean Kathryn Chval

RECEPTION POSTPONED!! We have just been notified that Dean Chval is under the weather and will not be able to travel to Denver. We hope to re-schedule this event for a later date, so be on the lookout for that.

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Please join us at the Curtis Center for the Arts on Monday, June 25th for an evening of mingling over appetizers and connecting with your Mizzou Alumni community. As a special guest, Mizzou College of Education Dean Kathryn Chval will present an update on progress at Mizzou will be sure to fuel your Tiger Pride!

The event begins at 6:30pm, with remarks from the Dean at 7:15.

Space is limited so be sure to guarantee your spot by replying to fentonj@missouri.edu or calling 573-882-8828.

Mizzou Volunteer Day

Plan to spend part of your day with fellow alumni during our annual Mizzou Day of Service on June 16.

The Rocky Mountain Tigers have partnered with Volunteers of America to support the Yard Angels Project, where we’ll be helping 80-something-young Esperanza with her garden.

Please join us in a day of community service and register here.

 

MU’s freshman class projected to grow by more than 14%

Transfer admissions and successful career outcomes rate also remain high

May 02, 2018

Story Contact(s):
Liz McCune, mccunee@missouri.edu, 573-882-6212

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri is expecting a double-digit percentage jump in the size of its freshman class this fall based on early deposits. Thus far, 4,547 students have paid enrollment deposits for the fall, a 14.4 percent increase over this time last year. Officials said that students can continue to enroll throughout the summer, so the final number could change between now and August.

“There are many institutions these students and their families could have selected, and we are honored and delighted they chose Mizzou. We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our new students and look forward to welcoming them to their new home,” Chancellor Alexander Cartwright said. “I’m especially proud that not only are we attracting new students, we’re retaining our students at near record rates and our graduates are successful in attaining their post-college career goals. That tells me that students are finding their niche and thriving, whether they are engaged in undergraduate research, taking on leadership opportunities or volunteering in the community.”

The projected average ACT of MU’s incoming freshman class is 26, making the class among the best and brightest in the state.

MU has focused on enrollment activities in the past year by adding more personal outreach, more events in high schools and at college fairs, and increased out-of-state recruitment.

“We called on our team to evaluate the total recruitment experience, and we’ve reimagined the path to becoming a Tiger,” said Pelema Morrice, vice provost for enrollment management. “I could not be more excited about our new, incoming students. Mizzou has momentum, and we plan to keep that energy going.”

In addition to strong freshman enrollment numbers, Mizzou also expects an increase in transfer students based on early indications. This has been a focus for the university over the past few years. For example, a year ago MU officials formalized a partnership with Moberly Area Community College that is designed to help students transition to MU. Called MIZZOUMACC, the initiative is administered through MU’s Community College Pathways Program.

“We will be watching those numbers closely over the next several weeks,” Morrice said. “We value our partnerships with community colleges, and we want students to know they are welcome at Mizzou no matter where their journey in higher education began.”

In addition, in the past year the campus announced several affordability initiatives, including:

  • The Missouri Land Grant Compact, which covers the tuition gap for any Pell-eligible Missouri resident.
  • The Border State Scholars award for eligible out-of-state students coming from one of Missouri’s eight border states: Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma or Tennessee.
  • The Black and Gold Scholarship expands MU’s out-of-state scholarships for eligible children of alumni.
  • new ROTC scholarship covers room and board costs for the freshman year for incoming ROTC students who are national scholarship winners from the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines.
  • reduction in the cost of Mizzou’s most common housing and dining plans.
  • Changes to student charge that prevent students from accumulating debt for non-academic expenses.
  • textbook initiative encouraging Open Educational Resources in classes, as well as the AutoAccess option for textbooks at all four campuses. As a result, textbooks at the Mizzou Store this fall are, on average, 18 percent cheaper than they were in fall 2016.

“Mizzou already is an outstanding value by many measures, and our students borrow 25 percent less than the national average to pay for college. Furthermore, our students are in demand—a recent survey found 90.4 percent of our students found successful career outcomes,” Cartwright said. “As a land-grant university, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to make higher education more accessible and to give a higher return on our students’ investments.”

RMT Board of Directors Election Meeting

We will be holding an election for the FY19 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019) Rocky Mountain Tigers Board of Directors Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Time, location and final slate of officers to be announced here 30 days in advance. Everyone is welcome to attend and additional nominations at the meeting are permitted.

We are looking for volunteers to fill two officer positions: Secretary and Treasurer.  If you’re interested in either of these roles, of if you’re interested in volunteering in some other capacity, please contact us at RMTvolunteers@gmail.com.

Mizzou Serving the world

Mizzou ranks high on list of top Peace Corps volunteer-producing colleges

Traci Henry, the University of Missouri’s Peace Corps campus representative, graduated from Mizzou in 2014 with a degree in psychology. Immediately after, she packed up her things and moved from her hometown of Columbia, Missouri, to Achuapa, a small mountain town in León, Nicaragua, to join the Peace Corps.

Many Mizzou students have taken a similar path. According to the Peace Corps’ 2018 list of the top volunteer-producing colleges and universities, Mizzou is No. 22 in the country for the number of alumni serving as Peace Corps volunteers. Currently, there are 40 Missouri Tigers volunteering in countries like Ukraine, Mongolia, Indonesia, Uganda and Nicaragua.

For three years Henry lived and worked in Achuapa. She co-taught in the local high schools alongside three Nicaraguan teachers, led a women’s empowerment group, taught an art class for elementary-aged students and even helped paint murals around town. On the weekends, Henry taught an advanced English class for members of the community.

Her favorite memory of volunteering was the night she was set to host a showcase for an elementary school art group. On the day of the event, Henry was hanging the artwork on the walls outside when it began to rain. The artwork was flying off the walls and everything was getting wet. Henry knew that members of the community never left their houses when it rained, so she decided to cancel the event. While packing up her things, Henry noticed a whole line of umbrellas coming down the street. Despite everyone showing up soaking wet, the event was a huge success.

Mahir Khan with Botswana children.

A 2016 graduate of Mizzou, Mahir Khan now serves as a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana.

Now the Mizzou Peace Corps campus representative, Henry wants to be a resource for any student interested in having an experience like hers. Among them is Mahir Khan, a 2016 graduate of the master’s program in the MU School of Health Professions and Truman School of Public Affairs, who now resides in Botswana.

He also participated in an annual World AIDS Day education bike tour.

Khan was inspired to change the world by watching his father, a Bangladeshi immigrant who worked tirelessly to improve the field of public health, both in the U.S. and abroad.

“Seeing and hearing him speak about health care and international development has pushed me to also pursue a career in public service,” Khan said. “Serving in the Peace Corps is the perfect opportunity to gain experience and jumpstart this journey as we both aspire to make a positive difference in the world.”

Khan has long been service-minded. In college, he participated in Mizzou Alternative Breaks, a student-led program that sends groups of students across the United States and abroad to serve people and communities in need. He also was a member of the Muslim Student Organization and the Missouri Students Association.

“The University of Missouri places a strong emphasis on service, and that is reflected in our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery and Excellence,” Khan said. “Mizzou’s campus is teeming with students eager to experience new things and make a difference in the world, and the university has invested in service opportunities of all kinds to promote our values.”

Mahir Khan in a circle of people in a Botswana village

Khan’s specific focus as a volunteer is health-based education, working directly with children and families in Botswana.

Billion dollar impact from Mizzou to State of Missouri

UM System reports that Mizzou’s economic impact has reached $3.9 billion

University of Missouri System officials announced the results of an economic impact study that illustrate the university’s commitment to bolster the state of Missouri. The study, completed by nationally recognized consulting firm Tripp Umbach, found that the UM System has a $5.4 billion impact on the state of Missouri, with MU accounting for $3.9 billion.

“We are dedicated to the welfare and success of the citizens of Missouri,” UM President Mun Choi said. “Our original mission was to educate the future leaders of the state and provide new knowledge that would open new opportunities and significantly alter the economic prosperity of the state for the better. This study proves that the University of Missouri System, its four campuses, MU Extension and MU Health Care continue to be a powerful driving force for the future of the state.”

Results of the Tripp Umbach report notes the following for MU:

  • MU has a $3.9 billion impact on the state of Missouri.
  • More than 46,800 people have jobs either directly or indirectly because of the Columbia campus.
  • More than $117 million in state and local revenue taxes are collected because of MU. These include taxes on sales, food, gas, lodging, etc.

Map info graphic highlighting MU's economic impact of $3.9 billion to the state of Missouri; 46,8555 jobs and $117.4 million in tax revenue.

For the past eight months, Tripp Umbach worked on a comprehensive analysis that included the economic, employment, government revenue and community benefit impact of the University of Missouri System. Overall results of the report, which reviewed the UM System, four campuses, MU Extension and MU Health Care, include:

  • More than 61,000 people have jobs either directly or indirectly because of the UM System.
  • More than $244 million in state and local revenue taxes are collected because of the system.

“Given that our annual appropriations from the state are approximately $400 million each year, this means that taxpayers are receiving a return on their investment of 13.5 to 1, an impressive number,” said Mark McIntosh, UM System vice president of Research and Economic Development. “A vast number of our graduates are staying in Missouri and putting their education to the test in our workforce while our faculty across the four campuses are conducting research that addresses grand challenges facing our state and nation. This significant combination of workforce development and innovative discoveries in our labs is impacting thousands of Missourians every day.”

Tripp Umbach staff used several sources of data for the study, including capital expenditures, operational expenditures, number of employees and students, conferences hosted, payroll and benefits, and taxes paid to local and state governments. The study did not review the economic impact of MU’s athletics department. A previous study completed by a team of MBA faculty and students found that MU athletics contributed approximately $294 million to the local and state economies.

“Beyond dollars, we also have an impact as we work and interact with Missourians across the state every day,” said Marshall Stewart, MU’s vice chancellor for Extension and Engagement. “I have spent time with people from every county in the state, and our extension faculty and staff who live and work throughout the state are committed to sharing knowledge with their neighbors. These everyday interactions are further proof that we are committed to the success of everyone, everywhere, in every county.”

“The University of Missouri System is an extremely important economic driver in the state of Missouri,” said Paul Umbach, president and CEO of Tripp Umbach. “Looking at the system’s impact on Missouri’s local and regional economies, it is clear that the investment in higher education is a necessity for the economic and social vitality of Missouri and its people.”

Tigers on Tour: Infinite Monkey Theorem Tour

Join us for our next Tigers on Tour event at the Infinite Monkey Theorem Urban Winery on Friday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. The tour is $25 per person and includes five 2 oz. sample pours throughout the event.

Bridgette, our wine educator and tour guide, is a Mizzou alum and very excited to have fellow Tigers at the winery for an evening. After the tour, we will hang out on the amazing patio for some Rocky Mountain Tiger networking and socializing.

Register HERE!

For maximum tour quality, the tour is capped at 30 people so be sure to grab your tickets quickly. The previous “Tigers on Tour” event at Stranahan’s Distillery sold out within a couple of weeks!

Upon purchase you will receive an email with all event details.

Mizzou Night with the Avs and Blues

Hey Avs and Blues fans, the Blue and Avs are in the playoff hunt, and this game will most likely decide which team makes it to the playoffs.

Tickets starting at $25. When purchasing upper level seats, choose Section 312 first so that we are assured to all be sitting together. $5 of every ticket sold will be donated to the Rocky Mountain Tigers scholarship endowment.

We will have a Pre-Game Alumni Event again at Club Level of the Pepsi Center starting at 5:15 PM.  Be there by 6:00 PM for a chance to win the Penalty Box Experience. 6 lucky winners will get to watch warm ups from the St. Louis Blues Penalty Box!  All opposing team gear will have to be removed or covered though.

We will also be raffling off two Mizzou/Blues scarfs during the Pre-game event. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to our RMT Scholarship Endowment.  You do not have to be present to win.  NOTE THAT RAFFLE TICKETS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE PURCHASED AT THE PRE-GAME RECEPTION DUE TO PEPSI CENTER POLICY, SO BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE BEFORE HEADING TO THE PREGAME.

Buy your raffle ticket here.

For more information, contact Madeline Wolf with the Avs at Madeline.Wolf @TeamKSE.com or 303.405.1147

MU donors give more than $13.7 million on Mizzou Giving Day, surpassing last year’s total by $5 millio

Mizzou Giving Day raised private support for schools, colleges and programs across campus

March 15, 2018

Story Contact(s):
Liz McCune, mccunee@missouri.edu, 573-882-6212

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Office of Advancement officials announced today that the annual Mizzou Giving Day raised more than $13.7 million—surpassing last year’s total by more than $5 million. Mizzou Giving Day, which was celebrated during the 24-hour period from 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, to 12 p.m. Thursday, March 15, was the university’s second daylong campaign to raise support from MU alumni and friends.

“The support we have received from Mizzou alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends shows how much this university and its mission means to them,” said Todd McCubbin, executive director of the Mizzou Alumni Association. “Private support for Mizzou is an important part of growing the university. We asked our supporters to step up through Mizzou Giving Day and they did in record fashion. They are all-in on making Mizzou stronger.”

Mizzou Giving Day started with a generous gift to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Virginia and Charles Peterson made an estate commitment of $1.25 million to Mizzou in support of the already established Virginia E. Peterson Scholarship in Biochemistry. The gift was announced in Schweitzer Hall’s Boyd O’Dell Bridge of Discovery by Dean Christopher Daubert.

The Mizzou Student Foundation’s year-round Rally Mizzou initiative, one of the many funds that provide scholarships for students, raised $7,755 as part of Mizzou Giving Day activities. The Rally Mizzou campaign began Monday and featured an event on Traditions Plaza on Thursday.

Thanks to challenge funds, Mizzou Giving Day encouraged friendly competition among schools, colleges and units. The School of Journalism; the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; the College of Veterinary Medicine; the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business; and the College of Engineering raised the most money while Student Affairs, MU Health Care, the College of Arts and Science, the College of Engineering and the College of Education received the highest number of gifts. Because of their successful efforts, these schools, colleges and units earned bonus funds. Additional social media contests provided prize money to schools, colleges or programs.

The Mizzou Alumni Association Scholarship Challenge, which was new this year, raised more than $122,000 for student scholarships through the Mizzou Giving Day website (http://givingday.missouri.edu). Every dollar given through the Mizzou Giving Day website for the Mizzou Alumni Association Scholarship Challenge between noon on Wednesday and noon Thursday was matched up to $2,500 per participating local chapter or affinity organization.

Mizzou Giving Day is a part of the Mizzou: Our Time to Lead campaign. With an overall fundraising goal of $1.3 billion, the comprehensive campaign will secure the University of Missouri’s status among the nation’s elite public universities by focusing on four priorities:

  • Endowment to compete with other institutions will strengthen the ability to attract and retain stellar students and faculty.
  • Signature centers and institutes will be the engine of research growth that will enhance MU’s AAU status and add to the university’s distinctiveness.
  • Campus renaissance spurred by new and renovated facilities will propel Mizzou to global leadership in education and research and will help attract and retain students and faculty.
  • Student success initiatives provide Mizzou students access to world-class learning opportunities that ensure they thrive on campus and throughout their lives.
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