First Look

FIRST LOOK

THE YOUNG OAKS With the passing of the old pin oaks on Francis Quadrangle, a father and daughter in the plant business have pitched in to supply long-lived species at home in Missouri’s climate and soils. No doubt they would ascribe to the 17th-century English proverb, “Walnuts and pears you plant for your heirs,” a nod to providing for future generations. Three years ago, Wayne Lovelace, BS Ag ’58, owner of Forrest Keeling Nursery, and his daughter Kim Lovelace-Hainsfurther, BS Ag ’81, nursery president, provided a total of 70 saplings of five white oak species that have been gathering strength at MU’s South Farm research facility. This summer, planting commenced on the Quad, and, after a pause, the work is scheduled to finish this fall. Remaining trees in this Legacy Oaks program will find homes around campus. In the spirit of botanical posterity, we propose an amendment to the proverb:

Walnuts and pears you plant for your heirs,

And Show-Me folks called Tigers grow oaks. — Dale Smith, BJ ’88

Packing a power auger and plenty of brawn, workers sink a young oak into Francis Quadrangle as Jesse’s dome supervises the job. The planters are, from left, Dylan Aitkens; Josh Pemberton, BS ’09; and Jerry Nichols. More on the Quad: Page 38. More on the young trees: showme.missouri.edu/2022/planting-a-legacy

Photo by Nicholas Benner

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

MizzouForward: Collective Potential

When I talk with Tiger alumni, I like to highlight our talented faculty who are working in labs and classrooms, in studios and on stages to make the world a better place. Now with MizzouForward, there’s more to share — real progress in critical areas that save lives and advance society.

MizzouForward is our 10-year, $1.5 billion initiative to strengthen and expand MU’s research enterprise. That commitment takes many forms, starting with growing and supporting our faculty. We’re adding up to 150 new world-class investigators over five years while ensuring that current faculty have the tools to make interdisciplinary breakthroughs. MizzouForward is a transformative investment in our collective potential, and it’s already paying off.

Scientists Haval Shirwan and Esma Yolcu, pictured above, came to campus two years ago and were among the first with lab space in the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building (a MizzouForward priority area). They recently published the results of a 20-year investigation showing that, in a large-animal model, transplanting insulin-producing pancreas cells can successfully treat Type 1 diabetes. It’s groundbreaking research that included researchers from Harvard and Georgia Tech. Their findings offer new hope to the nearly 1.9 million Americans with Type 1 diabetes.

A story in this issue introduces researcher Lei Lei, MizzouForward’s first official hire. As Lei delves into the secrets of how life develops, she seeks to discover new ways of understanding and treating cancer. (See Page 36.)

As of this writing, almost 400 candidates have applied for MizzouForward positions, more than 60 have visited campus, and we’re on track to hire 30 new faculty members this year. As the new academic year begins, we’re welcoming experts from an array of disciplines, including public affairs, engineering, education and reproductive biology.

It takes the entire Mizzou community — faculty, students, staff, supporters and alumni — to make this initiative possible. By working together, sharing ideas and sparking inspiration, this infusion of talent will change the way we serve our state, students and stakeholders.

Please continue to support our work by sharing these updates with others and advocating for our mission. Spread the word: Big things are happening at Mizzou.

Editorial and Advertising Mizzou Alumni Association 123 Reynolds Alumni Center 704 Conley Avenue Columbia, MO 65211 phone: 573-882-6611 mizzou@missouri.edu executive editor Ashley Burden managing editor Dale Smith art director Blake Dinsdale class notes editor Jennifer Manning editor emerita Karen Worley advertising Scott Dahl: 573-882-2374

Mizzou Alumni Association 123 Reynolds Alumni Center Columbia, MO 65211 phone: 573-882-6611, fax: 573-882-5145 executive director, publisher Todd A. McCubbin, M Ed ’95

Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the official position of the University of Missouri or the Mizzou Alumni Association. ©2022

Statements of Purpose The Mizzou Alumni Association proudly supports the best interests and traditions of Missouri’s flagship university and its alumni worldwide. Lifelong relationships are the foundation of our support. These relationships are enhanced through advocacy, communication and volunteerism.

MIZZOU magazine reports credible and engaging news about the University of Missouri community to a global audience.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jeff Vogel, BS Acc ’90 President-elect Mindy Mazur, BA ’99 Immediate Past President Sabrina McDonnell, MBA ’15 Treasurer John Gamble, BS ’00 Secretary Todd McCubbin, M Ed ’95 Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair Joe Valenciano, BA ’95 Directors Clarissa Cauthorn, BS ’15; Morgan Corder, BA ’18; Renita Duncan, BS Acc, M Acc ’08; Pete Ferretti, BA ’93; Matt Jenne, BS CiE ’97, MBA ’15; Chuck Kaiser, BA, BJ ’93; Emily Kueker, BS ’02; Christine Mathews, BS BA ’10, MBA ’17; Daniel Pierce, BA, BJ ’99; Martin Rucker, BS ’07; Mark Russell, BJ ’84; Jim Simmons, BS ’93, MD ’98; Dawn SmithPopielski, BA ’96; David Townsend, JD ’00; Kim Utlaut, BS ’89; Vanessa Vaughn West, BA ’99; Janet Wheatley, BS HE ’77 Student Representative Rachel Henderson

MIZZOU magazine Fall 2022, Volume 111, Number 1 Published triannually by the Mizzou Alumni Association

MORE MIZZOU ONLINE

Most toothsome tailgate ever! In two videos prepared for MIZZOU magazine, Chef Billy Parisi walks viewers through new recipes for Show-Me favorites grilled pork steaks and gooey butter cake. They’re so good you may forget to go to the game. Check them out at tinyurl.com/MIZrecipe.

CONTRIBUTORS

Jason Seiler’s caricatures have appeared in Rolling Stone, Billboard and The New Yorker, and he helped design the Red Queen character for Tim Burton’s film Alice in Wonderland. His cover illustration riffs on the Indiana Jones film franchise. T. Kent Jones, BJ ’86, an Emmy and Peabody award winner, has written and performed for The Daily Show on Comedy Central and The Rachel Maddow Show. Check out his humorous cover story about living on his opinions. Page 16.

Stephen Ornes, MS ’03, author of Math Art: Truth, Beauty, and Equations, is a science writer whose work has appeared in Discover and New Scientist. He introduces MizzouForward’s first hire, researcher Lei Lei. Page 36. Mara Reinstein, BJ ’98, is a New York City-based journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Parade. She profiles Metropolitan Museum of Art curator James Draper, BA ’65. Page 30.

About the cover

Illustrator Jason Seiler has painted TIME magazine’s person-of-the-year cover twice — Pope Francis (2013), and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (2020). His work also appears in the animated film, Escape from Planet Earth. Seiler gives us a swashbucklingly whimsical take on Kent Jones, BJ ’86, whose comic essay starts on Page 16. facebook.com/mizzou

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Departments

1First Look

The old pin oaks most of us knew as students are gone. Find out what’s next.

6Around the Columns

An MU researcher is making farming more economical, and the Museum of Art and Archaeology returns to campus after nearly a decade at Mizzou North. The collection includes Anten-nalope by Nam June Paik.

52 Mizzou Alumni News

Meet a children’s book author who won the American Indian Youth Literature Award and a Tiger who has run a marathon on all seven continents.

53 Class Notes

Alumni dish on their latest anniversaries, jobs, weddings and babies.

64

Semper Mizzou

After the passage of Title IX in 1972, Alexis Jarrett helped Mizzou launch eight new women’s sports programs.

Council for Advancement & Support of Education Awards 2022: Bronze, Periodical/Magazine Design 2021: Gold, Feature Writing (“Who Was I in College?,” Winter 2020) 2020: Bronze, Feature Writing (“Forever Young,” Spring 2019) 2019: Bronze, General Interest Magazine

Society for Publication Designers Awards 2022 merit awards “The Long Quiet,” Winter 2021; “International Reach,” Spring 2021; Spring 2021 cover 2021 merit awards “Eli’s Calling,” Fall 2020; “A Third Act,” Spring 2020

Features

The Tigers play Vanderbilt Oct. 22 for the Homecoming game. But first, a parade!

16

My Incredibly Important Opinions

Ever since this movie nerd fell for a famous film critic, it’s been all about me — my views, reviews, jokes and unsolicited attitude. story by t. kent jones, bj ’86

22

Gaming the System

Will it be thumbs-up or thumbs-down? In a gamebased classics course, students argue the trial of Socrates. story by tony rehagen, ba, bj ’01

26

The Double Life of Emily Newell Blair

At a time when few women even thought about having it all, suffragist Emily Newell Blair bucked convention in the world of work and marriage. story by kelsey allen, ba, bj ’10

30

One Last Roundel

By the time James Draper’s schoolmates were joining the Cub Scouts, he already knew he’d make his life in the world of art. He capped a legendary curatorial career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a remarkable gift. story by mara reinstein, bj ’98

36

Sleeping Beauties and Precision Health

A new faculty researcher seeks to understand a central mystery of life itself. story by stephen ornes, ms ’03

38

The Quad Goes Retro

This year marks the removal of aging pin oaks that had long spread blankets of shade on Francis Quadrangle. We put the dramatic new-old scene in perspective with a look back at more than a century of images at the heart of campus. story by dale smith, bj ’88

Go for Gold!

Homecoming 2022 Page 46

42

Gridiron Guild

This year’s squad is long on fraternity. Can that be the route to victory? story by tony rehagen, ba, bj ’01