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Dear university community,

Time flies fast. We’re two thirds of the way toward completing the in-person teaching, research and engagement activities of the fall semester! We’ve dealt with challenge after challenge and through it all we’ve been sustained by so many great stories of resilience, compassion and generosity. The generosity of alumni and other supporters has provided a powerful boost to our work. This month, Missouri S&T alumnus Bipin Doshi and his wife, Linda, made the largest individual contribution to an academic program in university history: a . with their $300 million gift to Missouri S&T — the largest ever for higher education in Missouri. I am so grateful for Chancellor Dehghani’s vision and persistence to secure this investment that will pay dividends through workforce and economic development throughout the state.

"Fred and June  Kummer also made history with their $300 million gift to Missouri S&T — the largest ever for higher education in Missouri."

NextGen Precision Health efforts are just one example of innovation with a lasting positive impact. This time next year, the NextGen Precision Health building will have opened its doors on the Mizzou campus and will further advance our critical work to improve the standard of healthcare in Missouri and beyond. The facility will serve as the central hub of our statewide biomedical research efforts. Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for the initiative and bringing together teams of brilliant researchers and staff who will make the university a national leader in precision health.

Much of our best work happens by bringing people together to solve big problems. The between researchers and community partners with a mini-grant program, which is accepting applications until November 9. Missouri S&T is using to benefit working parents in the Rolla region. The new is providing critical resources, including mentorship, to underrepresented entrepreneurs in order to boost early stage companies. To provide important perspective to young people interested in starting their own companies, the UM System recently hosted a discussion with Netflix co-founder Marc Randolf. For more stories about partnerships across the state and information about getting involved, check out the recently launched UM System Community Connect websites.

"We encourage you to learn more and consider how you can support or advance workforce and economic development."

This month, the university took another important step to benefit Missouri’s economy with the All Things Missouri: Workforce Development. The week’s events, co-sponsored by the Missouri State Chamber of Commerce, included speaker panels and interactive discussions that provide participants with actionable plans to make a difference in the state. We encourage you to learn more and consider how you can support or advance workforce and economic development in your role, since these are major priorities in our mission as a public institution of higher education.

Another big event this month was UMSL’s annual Founder’s Celebration, this year dedicated to the memory of who died on October 5 after a battle with leukemia. Wayne’s work in introducing the 1963 legislation that helped establish UMSL, and his more than 40 years serving in elected office, left an indelible mark on Missouri. He is deeply appreciated and deeply missed.

“Wayne’s work…left an indelible mark on Missouri.”

Finally, a big congratulations to MU’s Dr. Antoinette Landor and Missouri S&T’s Dr. John McManus! Dr. Landor for 2020 for her exceptional work with more than 20 undergraduate students. Dr. McManus , and a recording of the award program will be available on the Gilder Lehrman Institute and the New-York Historical Society websites on November 5. Drs. Landor and McManus are just two of the many faculty members who contribute significantly to the intellectual and cultural richness of our institution.