University of Missouri president touts student, financial growth in State of the University address

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi had good things to say about the direction of the university's future in Wednesday's State of the University address.

Choi touted noticeable student growth across campus. He said the university welcomed 9,200 new students this school year.

"What we're seeing is that students want to be part of this winning culture whether it's in research, teaching or in athletics," Choi said.

Data showed the university received 33,000 applications this year. Choi said the university already has 43% more applications for the Fall 2025 semester.

University of Missouri senior -- and president of the Panhellenic Association -- Audrey Stowe said she has witnessed that growth in her organization.

"We had a record number of people who wanted to join the greek community this year, which was incredible," Stowe said. "There's also just an energy on campus, I think, that you can definitely feel when you're walking through the quad or through student buildings."

Choi also said the university has a 93% retention rate. He credited the high numbers to the university's environment.

"It is the kind of a caring, nurturing environment that we provide to make sure that students are successful," Choi said. "Student success should be at the center of what we do as a university."

He said 95% of MU students are either employed, enrolled in graduate school or fulfilling a service role within six months of earning a degree.

"Our professors really try to set the students up for success of what agency life or life after college would look like within our curriculum," Stowe said.

Senior and first-generation college student Johnathan Martinez said said multiple faculty and staff members have helped him along the way and pushed him to become a better person.

"Honestly, if I had to pick another institution beside Mizzou, I don't think I would ever have that growth," Martinez said. "That's so exciting to have an institution that supports that."

The university is also aiming to grow through its Mizzou Forward initiative. Mizzou Forward is a 10-year plan that includes $1.5 billion in investments in the university's research, infrastructure and faculty.

Choi shared Wednesday the university has spent a record $485 million on research in 2024, up by more than $200 million from 2014.

"Our faculty are capturing more of the market share by bringing together the innovative ideas that are going to be selected by federal and state agencies, as well as industry partners, to use that research to ensure that we have tangible benefits that come from it," Choi said.

The university is also receiving more funding. Choi said state support for MU has grown dramatically in the past five years to $505 million this fiscal year.

"This only happens when Missourians and elected leaders see value in what we do," Choi said. "And this is a sign that we are a good investment for the State of Missouri."

Choi said this money has allowed the university to invest in its campus like never before, with many plans on the horizon including the Memorial Stadium Improvements Project, Center for Energy Innovation, NextGen MURR and more.

A triple major and agriculture student, Martinez said he is excited to see a couple of these projects come to fruition.

"I think the stadium is the most precious thing ever, I'm really glad that they're obviously extending it more," Martinez said. "But, another great thing I definitely think will be the [College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Meat Science Laboratory]. I'm a CAFNR student, agriculture, so it's always great to see colleges getting invested."

In Wednesday's address, Choi also hit on the "Championship Culture" currently surrounding MU with the recent success of the school's football team and other student athletes.