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Happy 40th Birthday, Truman Tiger!

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Happy 40th birthday, Truman Tiger! Since making his debut in 1986, Truman has become much more than a mascot. He is a beloved symbol of school spirit, a familiar face in the community, and a champion who proudly represents Mizzou on the national stage. Truman’s story began long before his refreshed look debuted in 1986. His roots reach back to the Civil War era, connecting generations of Tigers to a remarkable history of courage, community, and tradition.  The mascot itself received his name in 1984. Previously, Mizzou had two tiger mascots, a male and a female, but neither had an individual identity. To change that, the cheerleaders organized a campus contest inviting students to suggest a name for the Tiger. Since then, Truman has become an instantly recognizable face of the University of Missouri and a beloved ambassador for Tiger spirit. In 1986, Truman was ready for a makeover. The mascot’s caricature, image, materials, and colors needed an upgrade to better capture his person...
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Before You Walk Past: 100 Years of Memorial Student Union Tower

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If you’ve walked through Memorial Student Union, you’ve probably passed beneath its tower without giving it much thought. Maybe you were on your way to class. Maybe you were meeting a friend, grabbing lunch or heading to an event. For generations of Mizzou students, the Union has simply been part of everyday campus life- a familiar place to gather, study, celebrate and connect. But Memorial Student Union was never meant to be just a building. In 2026, Memorial Student Union Tower marks 100 years of remembrance and connection. To celebrate the centennial, an exhibition on the first level of the Student Center traces the story of how a planned student gathering place became one of Mizzou’s most recognizable memorials. And it all began with a different name. Mort's Case, First Level of MU Student Center. A Union Before It Was a Memorial In 1916, the University of Missouri began planning a new student union. The idea was straightforward: create a place where students could gather and c...
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Celebrating Homecoming at Mizzou: A Century of Tradition!

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October brings crisp air, colorful fall foliage, and the spirit of tradition to Columbia as we celebrate Mizzou's annual homecoming with the Student Union!  On the Second level of the MU Student Center, the Traditions Case display is currently dedicated to celebrating one of the University of Missouri’s most cherished traditions: Homecoming .. Steeped in the tradition that dates back to 1911, Mizzou celebrates homecoming each October with community events, service projects, campus decorations, and of course a football game. Since the inaugural celebration, homecoming has looked different accommodating for the Great Depression, wartime, protests, and social unrest. No matter the circumstances, Mizzou Tigers always find a way to celebrate their stripes during this special time.  The exhibition highlights the development of Homecoming across the decades, from the 1910s to the 2010s, illustrated with photographs, memorabilia, and historic documents. Mizzou's annual homecoming is o...
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Color and Memory in the Square Cases

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The square cases at the first level of the MU Student Center now feature two small but meaningful displays that continue our exploration of art, color, and community at Mizzou.  Exhibition Overview – First Level, MU Student Center Exhibition Overview – First Level, MU Student Center One case extends the spirit of Colors in CoMO , the exhibition on the ground level, by highlighting work by an MFA student from the School of Visual Studies. This display features a series of risograph prints that explore the visual possibilities of color combinations. Each print is organized around a distinct theme, showing how shifts in palette can create different moods, relationships, and visual rhythms. Together, the works invite viewers to think about color not simply as decoration, but as a language of structure, contrast, and emotion.                                    Oswaldo Garcia, Color Chart , 2025, 17...
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