Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday!

Steve Wunning, a seasoned retired corporate leader, wrapped up his two-year presidency of our Board of Trustees this past week. This was a bittersweet moment for me, as our committed alumnus served with distinction and now transitions to past president and will continue to serve as a board member. Or, as I like to think of our board members, our shipmates! The good news is, another of our steadfast alumni, Mike McEvilly, has stepped up to assume the leadership of our Board of Trustees. I look forward to working with Mike to continue charting our course for growth and innovation. I must admit that it is reassuring when members of our various boards arrive on campus to help steer and guide our S&T ship through the rough waters of the sea of higher education.

You see, our faithful volunteers, trustees, Miner Alumni Association directors, Kummer Missouri S&T Foundation Board members, members of our eight academies, and members of the Board of Curators gathered on campus to point the way and guide our paths. Yes, hundreds of engaged and involved volunteers at all levels of the university assembled on campus to provide pro bono service to help us hone our strategies, advance our mission and highlight our achievements. 

My favorite is always the "lightning round!" The eagerly, even anxiously, anticipated last item on the agenda of our board meetings. During this most enlightening part of the event at the university leadership level, every member offers their summary of thoughts and provides advice on our progress and future. After careful consideration of our work, listening to presentations and reading reports, the lightning round comments reflect the collective wisdom of the members. Insightful, direct and effective, it is inspiring to note that the comments represent over 1,000 years of experience among some of the brightest minds who have faced similar situations during their own leadership journeys. Focused on our students, initiatives and programs, the lightning round comments provide guiding principles for our campus leaders to continue to add value and mitigate harm during these difficult times facing higher education.

The volunteer services of our alumni are not a one-way street. Our students, faculty and staff, in turn, volunteer to contribute to our broader communities. They serve as agents of change to improve our communities and the world beyond. Our student organizations, including our fraternities and sororities, volunteer for civic service organizations such as the ALS Association, Lions Club and Rotary Club. Many alumni return to campus to give guest lectures and presentations, mentor and inspire students and give back to their alma mater in countless ways. And all along, they experience personal enrichment, career growth and enduring happiness.

Another highlight this week was the dedication of our Missouri Protoplex, where nearly 500 of our alumni, faculty, staff, students, manufacturing company representatives, and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of our 117,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility. I recall how, at the groundbreaking event for this same facility three years ago, I spoke about the need for the facility to support our engineering education and provide training for the technological workforce. As I said during the dedication event this week, more than ever, our Protoplex functions are needed to strengthen U.S. manufacturing, drive economic development and build the talent pipeline for tomorrow’s workforce. I also highlighted that the facility will support a broad range of manufacturers, from established companies to startups to entrepreneurs.

To the members of our many boards and advisory councils, I say: please know that your volunteer efforts make S&T stronger, better and more resilient. In these times of radical disruption in higher education, we consider you — every one of you — a coach in our corner and shipmate at our side.

To our students, faculty and staff who volunteer, I say: THANK YOU! Thank you for all that you do to help bring our communities together. To all our students, I say: consider volunteering and try your hand at volunteerism. You will be delighted to have helped others. And, along the way, you will learn that shared purpose defines us, empathy unites us, and the goodness in you emerges when helping others.

Warmly,

-Mo.
 
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Read previous Friday morning messages.

Check out the latest news from S&T:

• S&T opens Missouri Protoplex for advanced manufacturing
• Missouri S&T to offer new degree in biochemistry
• Michael McEvilly named president of Missouri S&T’s Board of Trustees

Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu