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University of Missouri

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"University of Missouri" redirects here. For other system schools, see University of Missouri System.
University of Missouri–Columbia
MU logo   University of Missouri seal
TypePublic
Established1839
Endowment$848 million (systemwide)[1]
ChancellorDr. Brady J. Deaton
Academic staff
3,874 (Fall 2005)
Students27,985 (Fall 2005)
Undergraduates21,375
Postgraduates6,610
Location
Columbia
,
Missouri
,
USA
CampusUrban, 1,358 acres
ColorsBlack and gold
NicknameFile:MU athletic mark.png Tigers
MascotTruman the Tiger
Websitewww.missouri.edu

The University of Missouri–Columbia is the main campus of the University of Missouri System. It is popularly known as Mizzou, MU, or the University of Missouri. MU is one of 60 elected members of the prestigious Association of American Universities. It is both a land-grant university and the largest public research institution in the state. MU is widely recognized and acclaimed for its programs in journalism, agriculture, law, and veterinary medicine. Substantial resources are being invested in the life sciences programs to establish MU as a premier institution in the burgeoning field of biotechnology.

History

Francis Quadrangle, featuring the Columns and Jesse Hall.

MU was founded in 1839 as part of the Geyer Act to establish a state land-grant university, the first west of the Mississippi River. During the American Civil War, supporters of the Union wanted to move the campus to a "more loyal" area, as Boone County lies in an area known as "Little Dixie" and was predominately pro-Confederate. Tensions and military activity in the area forced the university to close its doors for parts of 1862.

The original tombstone of Thomas Jefferson resides on the MU campus. Jefferson's heirs gave it to the campus in July 1883 because it was the first state university in the Louisiana Purchase territory.

Women were first admitted to the university in 1867, but only to the teachers' school. They were granted full admission in 1871.

On January 9, 1892, Academic Hall, the institution's main building, fell victim to a disastrous fire rumored to have been caused by the first electric light bulb west of the Mississippi River. The fire completely gutted the building, leaving little more than six stone Ionic columns standing. The columns, which still stand today, became a symbol of the campus and form the center of Francis Quadrangle, the oldest part of campus. Also in the quadrangle, and often referred to as its centerpiece, is Jesse Hall. Built in 1895, Jesse Hall was formerly known as New Academic Hall. Today, Jesse Hall is home to many administrative offices of the university and to Jesse Auditorium. The area of campus around the quadrangle, where the buildings are built of red brick, is known as "red campus." East of the quadrangle, many buildings were built in 1913 and 1914 of white limestone. This section is known as "white campus." Several newer buildings have been constructed in the white campus area and although limestone is no longer cost effective planners have attempted to retain the theme through use of light-colored brick and EFIS materials.

Struggle for Integration

In the winter of 1935, four graduates of Lincoln University—a traditionally black school about 30 miles (50 km) away in Jefferson City, Missouri—were denied admission to MU's graduate school. One of the students, Lloyd L. Gaines, brought his case to the United States Supreme Court. On December 12, 1938, in a landmark 6–2 decision, the court ordered the state of Missouri to admit Gaines to MU's law school or provide a facility of equal stature. Gaines, however, disappeared in Chicago on March 19, 1939 under very suspicious circumstances. The university granted Gaines a posthumous honorary law degree in May 2006. [1]

Undergraduate divisions were integrated by court order in 1950, when the university was compelled to admit African Americans to courses that were not offered at Lincoln University.

In Spring 2002, the board of curators approved the name change of the university's Black Culture Center from the generic name to the "Lloyd L. Gaines/Marian O'Fallon Oldham Black Culture Center" (GOBCC) in order to pay tribute to Gaines and Oldham, a former curator who was also denied admission to the university. The BCC is the first building named after an African-American on the University of Missouri–Columbia campus.

School Songs

Alma Mater

The Alma Mater for the University of Missouri–Columbia is Old Missouri. It was written in 1895 and is sung to the tune Far Above Cayuga's Waters and has two verses. Before and after athletic events, sometimes only the first verse is used. The first and second and second verses are more commonly sung at student orientation and at commencement/graduation ceremonies. Both verses are followed by the chorus.

First Verse

Old Missouri, fair Missouri
Dear old varsity.
Ours are hearts that fondly love thee
Here's a health to thee.

Chorus

Proud art thou in classic beauty
Of thy noble past
With they watch words honour, duty,
Thy high fame shall last!

Second verse

Every student, man and maiden
Swells the glad refrain.
'Till the breezes, music laden
Waft it back again.

Chorus

Proud art thou in classic beauty
Of thy noble past
With they watch words honour, duty,
Thy high fame shall last!

Fight Songs

The fight song(s) are used in several different combinations. The most recognizable (and longest) is Every True Son, Mizzou Cheer, and Fight Tiger all in a row. Fight Tigers can be used on its own and may have also been known as The Tiger Song of U of M many years ago.

Every True Son

Every true son, so happy hearted
Skies above us are blue.
There's a spirit so deep within us
Old Missouri, here's to you!
When the band plays the Tiger war song
And when the fray is through
We will tramp, tramp, tramp around the columns
With a cheer for old Mizzou!

Mizzou Cheer

Hit it! Hurray, hurrah! Mizzou! Mizzou!
Hurray, hurrah! Mizzou! Mizzou!
Hurray, Hurrah! And a bully for old Mizzou! Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah!
Mizzou-Rah! Mizzou-Rah! Mizzou-Rah! Tigers!

Fight Tiger

Fight, Tiger, fight for Old Mizzou.
Right behind you everyone is with you.
Break the line and follow down the field.
And you'll be, on the top, upon the top!
Fight, Tiger, you will always win.
Proudly keep the colors flying skyward.
In the end you'll win the victory,
So, Tigers, fight for Old Mizzou!

Give a Cheer

This song is a more recent addition, written by alumnus Carl E. Bolte.

Give a cheer for Mizzou's Tigers!
We will show 'em how to play.
Give a cheer for Mizzou's Tigers!
And our Tigers will win today.
We've got the team that will never retreat;
We've got the team they can never defeat!
Give a cheer for Mizzou's Tigers!
And our Tigers will win today!
Give a cheer for Mizzou's Tigers!
And our Tigers will win today!

The Missouri Waltz

The official song for the state of Missouri. It is always played before and during athletic contests.

Tiger Rag

Just like Auburn, Clemson, LSU, and Princeton Missouri uses Tiger Rag as a secondary song.

Academics

The University's academic divisions include:

MU is one of only six public universities that houses a law school, medical school, and a veterinary medicine school all on one campus. In Missouri, MU is the designated land-grant university (along with Lincoln University), the largest public research institution, and the only university that is both a member of the Association of American Universities and designated as a "Doctoral/Research Extensive" university by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Only 34 universities in the nation have both such designations.

In 1908, the Missouri School of Journalism (known colloquially as the "J-school"), the world's first school of journalism, was founded in Columbia. MU also owns and operates KOMU-TV, the NBC/CW affiliate for Columbia and nearby Jefferson City. It is a full-fledged commercial station, but is also a working lab for journalism students.

Athletics

Main article: Missouri Tigers
File:MU athletic mark.png

The Missouri Tigers are members of the Big 12 Conference and their colors are black and old gold. Athletic divisions include men's and women's basketball, baseball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, swimming and diving, softball, swimming, track, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling. The Mizzou football coach with the most wins was Dan Devine and the men's basketball coach with the most wins was Norm Stewart, an MU alum. The head coach of the men's basketball team is Mike Anderson. Gary Pinkel is the head football coach.

Football games are played on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Built in 1926, the stadium has room for over 60,000 fans and features a nearly 100 feet wide "M" in the north end zone. Men's and women's basketball games are contested at the Mizzou Arena, located just south of the football stadium. The Hearnes Center hosted men's and women's basketball from 1972 to 2004 and is still used for other athletic and school events.

Campus Life

Greek Life

Main article: MU Greek Life

MU is home to one of the oldest and largest Greek systems in the nation. The University is home to the first chapter of an existing national fraternity founded at a public institution west of the Mississippi and the first national fraternity founded west of the Mississippi. Currently, more than 70 Greek-letter organizations remain active at MU.

Homecoming

MU is credited with establishing the tradition of Homecoming in the United States, which was subsequently adopted by most colleges and high schools across the country. The tradition began in 1911 when athletic director Chester L. Brewer invited alumni to "come home" for the big football game against kU. A spirit rally and parade were planned as part of the welcome home celebration for alumni. MU's homecoming celebration has been named the best Homecoming in the nation and a model homecoming program by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Since 1999, the homecoming blood drive has earned the Guinness Record as the nation's largest.

Notable faculty

Notable people and alumni

Main article: List of University of Missouri–Columbia alumni

Points of interest

The Fountain and Statue of Tiger Plaza, located on the Mel Carnahan (South) Quadrangle
Tower of Memorial Union


See also

References

  1. ^ "2005 NACUBO Endowment Study". National Association of College and University Business Officers.
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