MURA 2025 Annual Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 · Country Club of Missouri / Zoom
The MURA annual business meeting was called to order at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2025, by President Jim Scott. More than 90 members participated in person and online.
President’s Report
President Scott introduced four new MURA members before highlighting several items of note, including MURA’s 35th anniversary. More information about the organization’s history will be available in an upcoming issue of the MURA newsletter. He congratulated members on their generous support of the recent Heart of Missouri United Way campaign, and thanked Dee Montgomery for her leadership. The Scholarship Committee, under the leadership of Ted Tarkow, continues to find new sponsors to help grow in the Kitty Dickerson Scholarship Fund. MURA’s volunteer hours at the Mizzou Store raised close to $1,500 for the fund.
Minutes
Having received no additions or corrections, Ina Linville moved, Gary Smith seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the 2024 annual meeting as provided. The motion was approved unanimously.
Treasure’s Report
Treasurer Brian Sanders reported that, as of February 28, 2025, MURA had a cash balance of $22,583.66 and investment assets totaling $116,806.80. Dick Otto moved, Maggie Walter seconded approval of the treasurer’s report. The motion was approved unanimously.
Committee and Liaison Reports
Awards Committee
Committee co-chairs Dick and Donna Otto reported that award selections, such as the Chancellor’s Award, have been made and shared with sponsors. Award recipients will be celebrated at the Spring Social on April 7.
Communications Committee
President Scott shared a report from chair Barbara Harris of the strong preference for electronic delivery of the MURA newsletter. Only 78 printed copies are mailed to households.
Faculty Council
Chair Frank Schmidt that shared that MU and Athletic Department officials have discussed how to fund a substantial financial obligation to cover student-athletes who didn’t get NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money for the years before the courts determined athletes were allowed to get NIL money. He also noted the university is adopting a new tiered system for parking on campus.
Membership Committee
Chair Jo Turner noted that as of March 1, 2025, MURA has a total of 882 members in good standing. This includes 27 annual members and 855 life members.
Nominating Committee Report and Election
Nominating Committee member Gary Smith invited candidates to introduce themselves: president, Mary Simon Leuci; president-elect and Program and Education chair, Janie Ausburn Harmon: secretary, Suzette Heiman; member-at-large faculty, Larry Ganong; member-at-large staff, Debbie Allen. The motion passed by acclamation.
Program and Education Committee
Chair Mary Leuci noted that the interesting topics and presenters continued to draw good attendance at MURA programs in 2024-25. The number of persons participating in Zoom has increased, and recordings for most presentations are regularly available for viewing afterwards. Information about MURA programs and activities are available on the MURA website.
Scholarship Committee
President Scott shared a report from chair Ted Tarkow noting that MURA will sponsor six Dickerson Scholarships in 2025-2026. A fundraiser at Shakespeare’s will be held May 1. He thanked MURA members again for their volunteerism and other activities to help children of employees with their college financial needs.
AD hoc and Other Reports
United Way
Chair Dee Montgomery highlighted MURA’s significant contributions to the 2024 Heart of Missouri United Way campaign: About 193 donors contributed more than 45 percent, ~$235,000, of the MU total. The total MU campaign was $519,130 from 944 donors, which includes MU retirees.
Program
Dr. Jim Spain, professor of Animal Science and vice provost for Undergraduate Studies, shared how Mizzou works to ensure student success, starting with recruitment and undergraduate studies, continuing through graduation and early career placement. He emphasized the importance of measurements to provide an accurate snapshot of the undergraduate population, to detect changes over time, to assess progress toward goals and to identify how best to utilize resources. Mizzou’s investments have yielded significant, impressive long-term benefits, including retention, sense of community, graduate rate, career readiness and more. Dr. Spain concluded his presentation with Q&A.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzette Heiman
MURA Board Secretary