December 18, 2024
With student successes, record-breaking investments in world-changing research and increased rankings, it’s been a good year on campus.
Dec. 12, 2024
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
As 2024 draws to a close, the University of Missouri has a lot to celebrate. Over the past 12 months, we’ve empowered students to succeed — and they accepted the challenge. We made bold investments in groundbreaking research while expanding our impact on the state and world. And we solidified our place among the nation’s top public universities.
Here are five ways Mizzou soared in 2024.
1. Our students seized new opportunities.
Every day, Mizzou Tigers excel both in and out of the classroom. This year, their achievements captured national attention. The Mizzou Chess Team won the Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship in January, the prestigious 2024 President’s Cup in the spring and the 2024 Collegiate Chess League championship title this fall. Students also performed in Ireland with Marching Mizzou; snagged a Pulitzer Prize; conducted impressive internships; and took on leadership roles at local, state and national levels — all while excelling academically.
And while our nearly 93% retention rate — far above average — is impressive, Tigers aren’t just staying on track to graduate. They’re building the skills needed to thrive for life. A survey released this year showed that more than 95% of Mizzou students found employment, continued their education or filled critical service roles within six months of graduation.
Our students’ success is no accident. In 2024, the university invested $5 million of MizzouForward funding in student success initiatives to ensure current and future Tigers have the tools and resources they need.
2. We invested in world-changing work.
Mizzou continued to make bold investments in research, securing external funding from national and state agencies as well as private partners to fuel innovation. We invested in cutting-edge tools, including an electric autonomous tractor for agricultural research; scanning electron microscopes to expand possibilities in health care; and state-of-the-art 3D printers, drones and robotics to prepare for a technology-driven future. We celebrated record-breaking research expenditures, and faculty and students leveraged those resources to explore world-changing solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems.
And we continue to build on that work, including the life-saving research happening at the MU Research Reactor (MURR). NextGen MURR, a new reactor at Mizzou, will expand upon those critical cancer-fighting capabilities as we create an innovation hub for nuclear medicine and ensure a reliable domestic supply of radioisotopes.
3. We impacted the state, nation and world.
As a land grant university, Mizzou’s impact extends far beyond campus. In 2024, our faculty and staff worked with farmers to adopt smarter, more efficient agricultural practices. Researchers continued to collaborate with medical providers to better understand, diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease and other debilitating conditions. Our experts partnered with public schools to enhance learning environments and helped small businesses spur economic growth.
In April, university leaders broke ground on the Roy Blunt Soil Testing and Research Laboratory at the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center in Portageville, Missouri. It’s one of more than a dozen agricultural experiment stations Mizzou operates around the state.
4. Tigers roared louder.
Fresh off a Cotton Bowl victory at the end of 2023, Mizzou Athletics celebrated more successes throughout 2024. In April, Laird Veatch brought his 25 years of experience to Mizzou as the new director of athletics. Truman the Tiger clobbered competitors, taking home gold at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Collegiate Mascot Championship. There, the Mizzou cheerleading squad won its second straight NCA Championship.
Mizzou Made athletes also excelled on the international stage, including at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where one alumnus brought home a bronze medal. And at the Paralympics, former Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball players competed for bronze, a current student was selected flag bearer for Puerto Rico and an MU alumnus earned gold as an assistant coach.
In the fall, the University of Missouri Board of Curators approved transformational plans to renovate Memorial Stadium. The project — which will include a new multi-level north concourse and premium seating options — is expected to be complete in 2026 to coincide with the stadium’s 100th anniversary.
5. We improved campus.
From replacing a nearly 150-year-old steam tunnel under Francis Quadrangle to renovating buildings and structures, we remained committed to ensuring a vibrant campus environment. The museums of anthropology and art and archeology returned to the heart of campus over the summer. Work began on a new facility for the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, which will include an adaptive playground with support from the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. An M-I-Z statue became a permanent reminder of Tiger pride near the Reynolds Alumni Center, and an MU logo created a new look for Tiger Avenue. Irrigation systems were replaced, the Quad was resodded, and sidewalks were extended as we also celebrated 25 years of our campus designation as a registered botanic garden.
Considering the success of our students, expertise of our researchers and our impact on society, perhaps it’s no surprise that we saw a spike in our national standings this past year. That includes ranking No. 4 among flagship universities for best value by U.S. News and World Report and No. 10 among Time magazine’s list of top colleges for future leaders. We also landed on lists for prettiest college campuses; best programs for fashion majors; best colleges for veterans; and more.
At Mizzou, we are driven by a shared commitment to push boundaries, inspire change and shape a brighter future — together.