By Nicole Lyons,
November 26, 2024
From left, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ (ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½) Board of Governors President John
Collier, Gov. Mike Parson and ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ President Roger Best pose
for a photo in the Ward Edwards Building. Parson is holding a proclamation presented
by ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ in recognition of his support of the university and
higher education in Missouri during his time as the 57th governor of Missouri.
The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ (ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½) welcomed Gov. Mike Parson to the Warrensburg
campus for a visit on Thursday, Nov. 21.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ President Roger Best, members of the Board of Governors and other university officials
met with the governor and joined him for various parts of his campus tour. The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½
pep band greeted Parson before he entered the Wood Building to visit a class taught
by Henry Wambuii, Ph.D., professor of Comparative Politics and International Relations. There, he spoke to students about his time in public office and answered a few questions
from the class.
Parson also received his final update on campus capital improvement projects and got
a firsthand look at the progress of the Humphreys Building renovation project as he
traveled across campus.
A trip to ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ isn't complete without incorporating some Mules and Jennies spirit,
and Molly, the university’s live mule mascot, greeted the governor outside the Ward
Edwards Building. Best then took Parson to stop by the Forbes Center, where he visited with James Cicon, Ph.D., associate professor of Finance, and his
class.
In the Ward Edwards atrium, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Mules Football head coach Josh Lamberson presented
the governor with a Mules jersey, while Best gifted Mo the Mule ornaments for the
Christmas trees at the Governor’s Mansion. Best and Board of Governors President John
Collier also presented Parson with a proclamation in recognition of his support of
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and higher education during his time as the 57th governor of Missouri.
Parson ended his final official ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ visit with brief remarks to those gathered in
the atrium, commending ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ for its commitment to investing in Missouri’s students.
Parson, who is term-limited, is serving his final months as Missouri’s governor. He
previously served as lieutenant governor, a member of the Missouri Senate and House
of Representatives, and sheriff of Polk County.