When I was considering applying to Missouri State University for the president’s position, one thing that really distinguished Missouri State from other universities was its Public Affairs mission.

The idea that it’s a holistic experience for our students throughout their time at Missouri State is bold and compelling — cultivating civic virtues and strengthening the bonds that unite people; campus members working to create a learning environment where:

• Our citizenship obligations are explored and encouraged.
• The capacity and the commitment to think about the public implications of private behavior is cultivated.
• The capacity to recognize and reflect on public issues is nurtured.

We help our students accomplish this growth by focusing on the broad pillars of ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.

Recognizing public affairs in action

What better way to demonstrate to our students the variety of paths to incorporate these ideas into their lives than the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame (PAHOF) induction celebration.

Each year, the university hosts this celebration to honor those with Missouri ties who have demonstrated the public affairs mission throughout their lives. This year, we’ll celebrate these inductees at the Induction Ceremony and Banquet on Sept. 6 at The Old Glass Place.

• Roy Blunt, an MSU alumnus, is a decades-long public servant. He is a former educator, university president and senator who retired from the U.S. Senate in 2023.
• Norma Champion was formerly Aunt Norma on “The Children’s Hour,” which aired on KY3 for nearly 30 years. Later in life, she had a career in politics and served in the Missouri House and then the Senate.
• Chris Chinn is a fifth-generation Missouri farmer who has led the state’s Department of Agriculture as director since 2017. An advocate for agriculture, Chinn leverages social media and public speaking to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.
• The late Annie Malone, the legacy award winner, was an entrepreneur, community leader and philanthropist. Born in 1869 in Illinois, she left high school to focus on hairdressing and at 20, created a shampoo and scalp treatment. By 1902, she developed a nondamaging hair straightener for African American women. She moved her business to St. Louis, expanding her company under the name Poro. She mentored others and supported Black women’s education.

What an incredible group of people who live(d) the public affairs mission in such diverse ways. I’m excited to meet them and hear from them at the celebration.

If you’d like to join us for an inspirational evening, check out the website for details.

Thanks for checking in. It’s a great day to be a Bear!

Biff