There is no better way to end another semester than by honoring 1,400 students during commencement. I can’t thank our entire campus community enough for being a part of these students’ academic journey. No matter your role on campus, your work helped them achieve their goals!

A sincere thank you to all those who made commencement possible, especially Terry Weber and the commencement committee who coordinate our commencement ceremony.

Board honors Citizen Scholars

Last Thursday, our Board of Governors held its December meeting. In the committee meetings, our auditors from Forvis Mazars gave us a “clean audit opinion,” which is great news for the university. University financial reporting is a complex and difficult process. I want to thank Cindy Schull, Michel Hackworth, Rob Moore and Debbie Underwood for doing the hard work that resulted in the clean audit opinion. This is work that’s rarely recognized but very much needed.

We also heard from our academic deans who provided updates on activities in their colleges. We have a lot going on across the university.  Thanks to faculty and staff who support these activities that take the university to the next level.

During the main meeting, we recognized our 2024 Citizen Scholars. This is the highest honor awarded to our students. The award honors students who exemplify academic success and the university’s public affairs mission. They were also celebrated at a dinner with their family and friends on Thursday evening. Congrats to:

• Faith Collins, a junior from Alton, Missouri
• Ashlie German, a senior from Springfield, Missouri
• Michael Guilfoy, a senior from Des Peres, Missouri
• Simoriah Longhorn, a graduate student from O’Fallon, Illinois
• Kayla Pfitzner, a graduate student from Springfield, Missouri
• Gerald Schiele IV, a senior from Kansas City, Missouri

The board also recognized three of its members whose terms end on Dec. 31. Those members rolling off are board chair Lynn Parman, former board chair Chris Waters and board member Jeff Schrag. Governors Parman and Waters began their service in February 2019. Governor Schrag completed the term begun by Jay Wasson. They have served our university well and we thank them for their service to the university.

Although their terms are complete, they’ll remain on the board until new board members are appointed by incoming Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Welcome our new interim provost

Finally, I’d like to again thank Dr. Tamera Jahnke, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, for graciously agreeing to serve as interim provost starting Dec. 21. Our provost search continues as the search committee reviews over 80 applications that have been received.

As we wind down the semester, I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. Our time off is such a treasure. I hope you’ll have the opportunity to rest and recharge.

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

Biff