Preliminary Figures Indicate Mizzou’s Retention Rate Second Highest in History

Preliminary Figures Indicate Mizzou’s Retention Rate Second Highest in History

Official figures to be released near the end of September

Aug. 21, 2017

Story Contact(s):
Christian Basi, BasiC@missouri.edu, 573-882-4430

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Preliminary figures for enrollment at the University of Missouri indicate that Mizzou students are enjoying a successful collegiate career. MU began classes today with an enrollment of more than 30,000 students. This includes a freshman class of more than 4,100 students and the second highest retention rate in MU’s history at 86.6 percent. The retention rate measures how many freshmen from the 2016-17 school year are returning to Mizzou.

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“We’re excited about what our preliminary numbers are showing,” said Pelema Morrice, vice provost for enrollment management. “These are stronger numbers than what was indicated earlier this year. Additionally, our strong retention number, which is one of the highest among all of Missouri’s universities, shows us that students have successful academic experiences on campus. This class is very reflective of the state of Missouri.”

“We are not just the University of Missouri; we are the University for Missouri,” MU Chancellor Alexander Cartwright said. “We are the public land-grant research institution; our students have opportunities unlike any other Missouri institution — from undergraduate research and athletics to health care and extension. We are here for the people of this state, and we are here for our students. You can see this commitment in our strong retention numbers. We plan to improve these even further by expanding applied learning opportunities. I’m very excited to be here at this critical time, and I’m grateful for the support of our alumni and friends and the dedication of our faculty and staff. I’m excited to get to work as the new academic year begins.”

Other preliminary figures indicate another strong freshman class as the average ACT remains at 26, which is above the state average (20.2) and national average (20.8).

“Student success is at the heart of what we do at Mizzou,” said Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies and e-learning. “Over the past decade, we have made student success a priority. We have invested a lot of time and effort into programs that support our students academically and also provided them with environments that are conducive to learning. Our student success network, MU Connect, has created a student success team for each student. We connect students with resources available in Financial Aid, Residential Life, Cashiers Office, Academic Retention Services, Learning Center and numerous other student support services.”

Preliminary figures on opening day are not official figures as many students continue to enroll or drop in the first few weeks. Official census figures are gathered during the fourth week of classes and will be released in late September.

2017 Football Season Watch Party Schedule Announced

 

Hey Rocky Mountain Tigers, we’ve announced our watch party schedule for the 2017 football season.  It includes a special Homecoming game watch party at Harpo’s, yes Harpo’s, in Boulder, and a doubleheader for the one of the biggest sports weekends in Mizzou history, the first Mizzou Hoops game & Mizzou vs Tennessee football game.

Our new RMT “Harpo’s style” stadium cups will be for sale at the watch parties.

Also, remember fans – even if we’re not hosting a watch party, the Tigers are always on at The Whiskey Bar downtown.

GO TIGERS!

Another Fun Student Send-off

On Sunday, August 6, Rocky Mountains Tigers hosted our annual Student Send-off for our newest Mizzou Tigers. The excitement level among this great group of students was extremely high as they start this new chapter in their lives.

We’re excited to welcome these students and their families to the Mizzou Family.

We continued our tradition of introducing the newest Tigers to KC Style BBQ with a variety of some of the best KC BBQ sauces to enjoy with food from Mizzou Alumni owned GQue BBQ.

New RMT “Harpo’s style” Stadium Cups Available

Check out our new RMT “Harpo’s style” stadium cups.  Want one?  It’s included with a ticket to the SEC Picnic.  We will also be selling them at the upcoming Mizzou Football watch parties and other RMT events.  They are $5 each and all proceeds go to our RMT scholarship endowment.

Mizzou a National “Best Buy”

University of Missouri recognized in 2018 Fiske Guide to Colleges

Story by Jared Kaufman

2018 Fiske Guide to Colleges "Best Buy School" badgeAs the cost of college increases nationwide, students and parents are more concerned than ever about making smart financial decisions and being sure to get the most “bang for their buck.” Now, the University of Missouri has been recognized as a “school on the rise” and one of the top universities for its price by being named a “Best Buy” school in the 2018 edition of the “Fiske Guide to Colleges,” which for more than 30 years has been a resource for parents and students in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

Mizzou is one of 20 public universities noted for its combination of affordability and strong academic quality, and it is one of only two Missouri schools and three Southeastern Conference schools to earn this highly sought after distinction. The Fiske guide, now in its 34th yearly edition, is edited by former New York Times education editor Edward B. Fiske, who has been called the “top independent voice in college admissions.”

“Earning the ‘Best Buy’ rating continues to show that the value of an education at Mizzou is one of the best in the country.”

“When students and their parents pick a college, affordability and quality are two determining factors in the decision-making process,” said Pelema Morrice, vice provost for enrollment management at Mizzou. “Earning the ‘Best Buy’ rating continues to show that the value of an education at Mizzou is one of the best in the country.”

Mizzou has long prided itself on providing an accessible and affordable higher education. Last year, Mizzou awarded and processed more than $223 million in need-based grant and merit-based academic scholarships to increase opportunities for academic access and success.

“A key component to keeping higher education affordable is addressing student debt, and Mizzou is above average in helping students graduate with less debt through financial counseling and collaborations with the Office for Financial Success,” said Nick Prewett, executive director of the Office of Student Financial Aid. “Currently, the national average for student debt is $31,000, and at Mizzou, our graduates leave with an average debt of $23,000.”

The Office of Student Financial Aid’s proactive approach to cultivating personal relationships with individual students has been shown to be an important reason why Mizzou students have lower average debt, according to research from the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs. The Office for Financial Success, another money-management resource, is run by the Department of Personal Financial Planning. Trained student volunteers offer individual and group financial consultations on a variety of subjects, including loans, debt management and helping young people create good fiscal habits early in life.

The Fiske guide’s profile of Mizzou called attention to other specific factors that make the university a “Best Buy” option, including:

Mizzou is one of only six public institutions nationwide that can claim a medical school, veterinary medicine college and a law school on the same campus. Students also have immediate access to groundbreaking research along with the county’s most powerful university nuclear research reactor. Based on quality of teaching, research and scholarship, Mizzou is one of only 34 public U.S. universities invited to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).

“Mizzou is a college that will shape your life and help guide you into the future,” says a student quoted in the guide.

Mizzou Donors Set New Cash Yearly Giving Record

Strong year pushes fundraising campaign past $900 million mark

July 13, 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Officials today announced that the University of Missouri raised more than $121 million in cash gifts during fiscal year 2017, a new record. Overall, including pledges, the University raised nearly $152 million, the fourth highest total in University history. The strong fundraising year brings the Mizzou: Our Time to Lead campaign total to $905 million—more than two-thirds to the $1.3 billion goal announced at the campaign’s launch in October 2015.  Full Story

“Mizzou students and faculty strive for excellence in everything they do,” said MU Chancellor-Designate Alexander Cartwright. “Every gift to MU contributes to success in the classroom, in the research laboratory or on the playing field. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to our supporters.”  Full Story

“Through our mission of teaching, research, engagement and economic development, the University of Missouri impacts the lives of our citizens every day,” said MU Interim Chancellor Garnett Stokes. “This new record clearly illustrates that our alumni and friends see Mizzou’s value and are willing to invest in the institution to help us be responsive to the needs of our state and nation in the future. We are grateful for that support.”  Full Story

More than 40,000 donors made nearly 75,000 donations, pledges or estate gifts to MU from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. Gifts ranged from donations of less than a dollar to 21 gifts of $1 million or more. This is the fourth year in a row donors have made 20 or more million-dollar gifts to MU.  Full Story

For example, the Panda Charitable Foundation donated $1.5 million to the MU Honors College. The foundation is led by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, University of Missouri alumni and founders of the Panda Restaurant Group Inc.  Full Story

Smaller gifts also made a significant contribution to the university’s fundraising. The first-ever Mizzou Giving Day on March 15 raised 3,591 gifts totaling more than $8 million.  Full Story

“First and foremost, this is a testament to the Mizzou spirit of our alumni and friends,” said MU Vice Chancellor for Advancement Tom Hiles. “We cannot thank them enough for their generosity and dedication to the university. With new leadership across campus, we are committed to making Mizzou even stronger, and private support continues to be essential to our success. I also want to commend our dedicated advancement staff who continue to build relationships and seek support from our alumni and friends. We are very pleased that we are on track to exceed our $1.3 billion goal by 2020.”  Full Story

“I love Mizzou just like thousands of other people do across the country and around the world,” said Catherine Allen, chairman and CEO of the Santa Fe Group and a tri-chair for the campaign. “The university obviously faces some challenges. It is inspiring to see the Mizzou family rally behind our university to be part of the solution.”  Full Story

The Mizzou: Our Time to Lead campaign helps secure the University of Missouri’s status among the nation’s elite public universities by focusing on three priorities:  Full Story

  • Endowment — building a strong endowment will allow Mizzou to compete with other institutions and will strengthen the ability to attract and retain stellar students and faculty.
  • Signature Centers and Institutes – interdisciplinary centers and institutes will be the engine of research growth that will enhance MU’s AAU status and will add to the university’s distinctiveness.
  • Campus Renaissance — new and renovated facilities will propel Mizzou to global leadership in education and research and will help attract and retain students and faculty.

Editor’s note: For a visual representation of Mizzou’s fundraising from fiscal year 2013 through fiscal year 2017 download the Mizzou: Our Time to Lead graph.  Full Story

Meet our 2017 Scholarship Winners

Meet our 2017 scholarship winners Lexi Crowder and Taryn Fox.  Lexi is a graduate of Arapahoe High School and will be studying Journalism.  Taryn is a graduate of Niwot High School and will be studying nursing.  We are excited to welcome them and their families to the Mizzou family.  It’s great to be a Tiger.

Thanks to all our RMT endowment donors for making it possible to award scholarship to Colorado students attending Mizzou.  It really does help them out.

To make a tax deductible donation, follow this link.

Football and Special Event Housing in CoMo

Alumni and visitors can now stay in select residence halls for home football weekends and special events.

Guests will stay in a furnished two-bedroom suite with four single beds for $120/night plus sales and lodging tax. Parking is available for an additional cost.

Economy bed linens and towels are included.

Check-in time: 3 p.m.-midnight

Check-out time: Noon

To request a reservation, follow this link.

 

SEC Picnic 2017 – Buy Tickets NOW!

Tickets:
$25 for Adults
$6 for kids 12 and under
Purchase tickets here – www.mizzou.com/RMTSEC2017
Ticket sales end Friday August 11th at noon!

Tickets include full BBQ lunch from Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ (GF available), complimentary beer from Blue Moon until supplies run out, and a newly designed Rocky Mountain Tigers stadium cup.

Also for sale are raffle tickets for a November 10-11 basketball and football ticket package! First home basketball game on Friday November 10 against Iowa State and Tennessee football game on Saturday November 11.
$25 for one, $40 for two – same link as above!

Please feel free to bring lawn chairs, blankets, park games, drinks or anything else you want for a picnic or tailgate!

Special thanks to our sponsor Blue Moon Brewery!

Absolutely no dogs or glass allowed.

A portion of the ticket sales and all raffle sales go to the Rocky Mountain Tigers scholarship fund.

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