May 2019
Alumni and friends of Mizzou,
This year I had the honor of a seat at the table with some of Mizzou’s best minds – volunteer leaders, impressive faculty and administrators, incredible students and dedicated staff. In June, I’ll stand up from that seat and pass the position of president of the Mizzou Alumni Association on to another dedicated Tiger, Steve Hays (BS BA ’80). As I leave, I want to share with you what I now see:
Mizzou is on the move. New leadership means there’s a new vision for higher education at work in Columbia. Student success is a top priority and I learned of meaningful advances in access, affordability, diversity awareness and hands on learning all happening now.
We as a board asked tough questions about how students access funds and support so they can complete their degrees. In response, I saw the depth of which Mizzou leaders are thinking about the complexities of these issues and addressing them head on. Actual changes in policies that help students. Real scholarship programs that offer the things students need to be successful. Mizzou’s leaders are continuously looking for ways to improve, and they are putting students first.
Landing Mizzou’s first Nobel Prize in the middle of my presidency was pretty incredible, too!
Mizzou needs you. MU’s advances will get full lift when we come together as alumni to strengthen our alma mater. Joining forces with me and the 14,000+ volunteers who contribute to Mizzou’s success will solidify our future. One thing is for certain, there’s a place at the table for everyone, including – and especially – you:
Visit Mizzou to be part of our traditions – come back to campus for Tiger Walk, Homecoming and Senior Sendoff so our students get to know the Tigers who walked campus before them.
My plan as president was to ask tough and sometimes uncomfortable questions, and to make smart, hard choices. I believe we as a board did just that. As I leave the seat as President, I know Mizzou has a place for everyone. Will you join me and Steve in making Mizzou stronger?
Andrea Allison-Putman, BS BA ’85
President Mizzou Alumni Association