University of Missouri

University Communications

Spectrum

Volume 33, Number 3, May 2006

Bennett highlights campus success stories in report to board

University of Missouri Board of Curators President Angela Bennett shared good news from each campus in her report to curators May 4.

“There are so many different things that happen on each one of our campuses and within our system that it’s difficult each time to relate what has gone on,” Bennett said, whether they are successes from faculty, students, administrators or staff.

Among the highlights Bennett focused on were the high rankings earned by the UM-Columbia School of Medicine in the annual U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools 2007. Family medicine was ranked third in the nation. The school’s rural medicine program also was among the top ranked programs.

The Conservatory of Music at UM-Kansas City celebrated its 100th anniversary in April. The Conservatory has earned national and international acclaim through music and dance performance, composition, teaching and scholarship.

A multidisciplinary team of students from UM-Rolla earned the top prize in April in a helicopter design competition sponsored by the Huntsville, Ala., chapter of the American Helicopter Society. The UMR First Responder Design Team beat out the Georgia Institute of Technology and several other universities to capture first place.

At UM-St. Louis, the College of Optometry is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The college administers the only professional training program for optometrists in Missouri.

Bennett concluded her remarks by sharing accomplishments that have occurred during President Elson S. Floyd’s tenure at the University, including the introduction of the educational fee reduction program for employees’ spouses and dependents; the creation of need-based scholarships by leveraging private support with state appropriations; the establishment of a joint pharmacy program with UM-Kansas City and UM-Columbia; and the financial turnaround of UM Health Care.

Such achievements are among the many that have occurred while Floyd has managed the University through difficult budget times, Bennett said. She commended the president for his excellent relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni and elected officials.

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