Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,Happy Friday!

As I write this message on Wednesday, Oct. 7, we are celebrating the sixth anniversary of our Kummer Day in recognition of the generous and historic donation of Fred and June Kummer to the university. As I expressed in my letter to Fred and June, the Kummer gift, like many other gifts from our generous alumni, has affected our students and faculty far beyond temporary financial relief – it has become a source for sustainable empowerment. The scholarships and endowments have systematically enabled our students and faculty to develop the skills and tools they need to build their future.

Kummer Day celebrations, however, go far beyond recognition of philanthropic contributions. We celebrate the spirit of giving, generosity and devotion as essential aspects that contribute to higher forms of human happiness, mainly on the part of the donor. I have worked with many donors who express an enormous sense of satisfaction in “planting the seeds” of success for others. After all, Andrew Carnegie famously called his philanthropic contributions the most “soul satisfying gifts.”

Operationally, as a part of recognition and celebration of not only the Kummer gift but also all philanthropic contributions, our Kummer I&E Doctoral Fellows presented their research findings in an exciting open forum. Our student entrepreneurs formed a panel and discussed the nature of entrepreneurship and their motivation to start companies, and our endowed faculty highlighted their research programs. It was encouraging to see all the progress that has been made to advance the three mandates that Fred has established for all of us here at S&T: elevate Missouri S&T, provide broad STEM² outreach, and ensure economic development.

Fred’s third mandate for us – ensuring economic development – is well underway here at S&T. Our Protoplex is a busy hub of advanced manufacturing and a destination for small and large manufacturing companies from around the state and beyond. Last week, on Oct. 2, individuals and organizations nationwide observed National Manufacturing Day and we’ll celebrate at our own S&T Manufacturing Day event in the Protoplex today. 

The theme of “Advanced Manufacturing and AI: From Conversation to Project” will be the topic of discussion among Manufacturing Day attendees that include owners and executives of small and mid-size manufacturers, plant managers and operations leaders, engineering, quality and production leaders, manufacturers curious about AI and advanced manufacturing, and trade associations and economic development partners. The hands-on event, in collaboration with the Missouri Association of Manufacturers (MAM) and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), is designed to make AI and advanced manufacturing practical for the state’s small and mid-size manufacturers.

I have had the privilege of witnessing the progress that has been made here at our university due to various forms of generous giving and grateful receiving and the exchange of ensuing “soul satisfying” feelings.

Every year I write a letter to Fred and June highlighting the impact of their remarkable gift, including many other subsequent generous contributions inspired by their historic gift. Large or small, our big-hearted donors have given what they can in support of this institution or others. As I write my letter, I am always reminded of the words of the remarkable 19th century American author, social worker and Unitarian minister Edward Everett Hale, who wrote:

I am only one;
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything;
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

These words resonate. And they particularly resonate today as they highlight the importance of one. And they resonate far beyond giving when we might feel small and powerless compared to how large the problems in our world loom. In the words of Hale, we can still do “something!”

So I say to Fred and June on their day, and to all big-hearted large and small donors who have given, to S&T or to others, thank you. Please know that you have enabled our students to develop many of the skills necessary to enhance their sense of inner worth that will sustain them through challenges of life and career.

You have helped them achieve; then they will help others achieve. Thus is the peaceful world built.

Warmly, 

-Mo.

Share your thoughts!

Read previous Friday morning messages.

Check out the latest news from S&T:

• Nobel Peace Prize winner to present climate change presentation
• Inaugural Delbert E. Day Lecture to be held Oct. 15
• Festivities planned for Missouri S&T Homecoming

Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116
206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu
No AI was used in writing this message. Any questionable phrasing is entirely my own.