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Dear university community,

I’m so grateful for all you’ve done to continue the university’s mission of education, research and engagement through what has been a very challenging year. Students, faculty and staff have shown incredible adaptability and resilience, from the pivot to online learning last spring to the carefully-executed return to campus this fall. As we now look to the months ahead, we must not let our guard down. We will continue working to address the ongoing pandemic and support the safety of our entire community. Each university is carefully monitoring local conditions, following public health guidance and implementing appropriate precautions. These actions will help carve a path for a and a successful return to in-person learning in the spring.

This month, in keeping with the tradition of commemorating what we’re most thankful for, I’m reflecting on how much I appreciate our community members who continue to work on improving life on the global scale. I’m grateful for the vision of our supporters who keep our mission going strong with milestones like the NextGen Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center (dSAIC), a UMKC and MU collaboration made possible by Gary and Sherry Forsee, and the at MU, vitally supported by Dick and Donna Otto.

"I’m grateful for the vision of our supporters who keep our mission going strong with milestones like the NextGen Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center (dSAIC)."

I’m grateful for our researchers who tackle the greatest challenges our society faces, such as the faculty at UMKC taking part in across the nation, and those who bring national recognition to the university, such as the three this year. I’m grateful to those who work to bring our students the most innovative and impactful education programs, such as the Lean Green Belt certification at Missouri S&T, which teaches best practices in management. I’m grateful to our student and faculty artists, for continuing to produce works that uplift the spirit, such as UMSL’s The Clever Artifice. I’m grateful to our Extension network for the work they do around the state, such as to help them transfer their value into civilian life. To learn more about the amazing work our Extension and Engagement team has done over the past year, please take some time to check out the report and the .

"I’m grateful to our student and faculty artists, for continuing to produce works that uplift the spirit, such as UMSL’s award-winning opera production The Clever Artifice."

Finally, I am so thankful for and proud of the faculty across the system who received Tier 3 research funding. Part of the UM System Research and Creative Works Strategic Investment Program, Tier 3 awards support projects in the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences. This year, we invested more than $630,000 in 23 different research projects, exploring everything from green architecture to art history. Congratulations to all the recipients and thank you for your commitment to excellence in research.

“The difference you make is apparent to our university community and far beyond our system. Thank you all so much.”

Please know that your actions this year are deeply appreciated. The difference you make is apparent to our university community and far beyond our system. Thank you all so much. If you have a story about work our university community does to make a difference, please send it to president@umsystem.edu.