In January, I wrote about the budget challenges facing the University and the MU Libraries. Although we are still in the midst of difficult economic times, I don’t want to dwell on the bad news surrounding us. In recent months, I’ve had the chance to meet with groups of alumni and area residents to talk about what’s happening at Mizzou. There is a lot more to this place than just the football team and the billion dollar campaign, so I thought I would share some of the good news that everyone should know about MU.

Mizzou is indeed a world-class university:
• MU is one of only 34 public institutions among the 60 U.S. members of the Association of American Universities. That’s important because the AAU is the single most prestigious “club” in higher education. Only those universities recognized in the first rank are invited to join, and MU has been a member since 1908. (MU was the fifth public university elected to membership, ahead of KU which joined in 1909).
• For the past ten years, MU has led all other public universities of the AAU in annual growth of federally-funded research. MU is also in the top fifteen of all universities (public and private) in the growth of annual research funding in the life sciences. In 2008, we were ahead of places like Harvard, Stanford, Michigan and even Washington University/St. Louis.
• Eight MU programs rank in the top ten among the nation’s universities. Most people know about the J-School, but many are not aware that Creative Writing, Family Medicine, Interior Design, Counseling Psychology, BioMedicine, Dispute Resolution, and Veterinary Physiology are also in the top tier.

Mizzou is a destination university:
• MU is the first choice of a majority of MO high school grads, and it’s not like these students don’t have other choices. The 2008 freshman class boasts an ACT average score of 25.5, compared with the national average of 21.2 and the state average of 21.6. Nearly one-third of these freshmen came from the top 10 percent of their high school classes.
• Students come here to pursue some 270 degree programs in the nineteen schools and colleges at MU. This year, we topped 30,000 registered students on campus, and applications for next year’s class looks to be another record year.
• And we can be pleased with the progress these students are making. The six-year graduation rate is almost 70%. Over 90% find work after graduating, and the vast majority stay and work right here in Missouri.

Mizzou is an economic engine for the state:
• On average, MU spends $9.7 million in payroll, brings in $2.4 million in private donations, and wins $3.7 million in outside funding for research – every week. Last year, MU’s spending for research alone created 40 jobs for every $1 million in funding received.
• Since 2000, MU faculty and staff have launched 30 start-up companies, taking their research from the laboratory to the marketplace. MU filed 45 U.S. patent applications in 2007.
• A recent study estimated that research at MU supported 9,000 jobs resulting in about $440 million in economic activity. Only WalMart employs more people in the state than Mizzou.

As staff members of the Libraries, all of you play a huge role in supporting this institution, and you should take enormous pride in your contributions to its success. Even during tough times, Mizzou, with the support of its Libraries, will continue to provide Missourians all the benefits of a world-class research university. I always tell donors and community members about the great things that are happening at MU and in the Libraries, and I hope you will do the same with your friends and neighbors.

In a few weeks we will have our annual Celebration of Service event as part of the campus-wide employee recognition events. As part of that program, I will unveil my usual “Top Ten List” of notable accomplishments of the past year. In the Libraries and throughout the University, there are indeed many achievements worth celebrating, and we should keep them in mind as we deal with the challenges facing us. Thanks for all you do for MU and the MU Libraries.

Jim Cogswell