We have a lot to be proud of at the University of Missouri. Never before have we had so many students on campus. They fill our gleaming new facilities — the student center, law building, recreation center and residence halls, to name a few – with black and gold and enthusiasm. We now cheer on the Tigers to victory in the grand Southeastern Conference. Our School of Journalism remains the best in the nation.
But beyond these common points of pride, there is even more to take note of. Although it may not be as glamorous, this semester we should all spend more time learning about and appreciating the rich academic life at our school – in particular, its vibrant research activity.
2012 was a banner year for research and innovation at MU. Let’s just take last semester. We, as an institution, can now claim responsibility for possibly [the tastiest and most viable meat substitute](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2012/11/30/mu-researchers-develop-alternative-meat-product-br/), a soy-based chicken product, yet developed. We’ve [made a high-tech ice cream](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2011/9/16/graduate-student-puts-mu-spotlight-flavor-changing/) that changes flavors. We’re helping [better predict the weather](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2011/8/26/new-cafnr-drought-simulators-will-help-predict-wea/) with devices that simulate the effects of a drought. We’ve tackled [muscular dystrophy](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2013/1/25/mu-research-team-makes-breakthrough-treatment-musc/) and [HIV](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2012/11/27/mu-professor-makes-discoveries-hiv-research/) with new treatment techniques, and [made the X-ray portable with handheld device](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2013/1/25/mu-engineering-team-invents-handheld-portable-x-ra/). Oh, yeah – we have [our own insect species](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2012/12/4/mus-newest-claim-fame-its-own-insect-species/). And that’s just to name a few.
What happens when a university is constantly making strides all over its campus? For one, companies, private donors and the government take notice. We’ve received huge gifts this past year: [to help our nursing school](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2012/9/21/nixon-delivers-speech-mu-announces-nursing-school-/) keep producing some of the best nurses in the country, to prepare our [agriculture-systems](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2012/10/30/new-agricultural-center-be-funded-1-million-gift/) and [business](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2007/3/2/scotts-donate-2-5-million-college-business/) students for constantly-evolving fields, and [to ensure that our Reynolds Journalism Institute](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2012/11/9/reynolds-journalism-institute-guaranteed-funding-t/) is one of the foremost journalism research centers in the world for years to come. And the continued stream of other private donations shows that alumni and community members believe our university is truly an institution worth supporting.
An essential part of having Mizzou pride is appreciating just how much is going on under the columns. So let’s celebrate our achievements. The university should keep honoring its newsmakers and innovators by featuring them around campus and using their achievements and stories in its advertising and public relations campaigns.
2013 is sure to be even bigger for our faculty and the students who help them discover, create and innovate every day. Let’s make sure everyone is aware of the amazing things that happen here. It’s okay to brag.