The University of Missouri was founded in 1839 in Columbia as the first public university west of the Mississippi River. Today, with an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, 13,000 full-time employees, and 330,000 alumni, Mizzou is an important investment for the state and nation.

The foundation of Mizzou is built upon the following core values:
- Respect: We commit to acting ethically, welcoming difference and exchanging ideas openly
- Responsibility: We are accountable to ourselves, each other and the public we serve
- Discovery: We foster the lifelong process of seeking knowledge and greater understanding
- Excellence: We reach for excellence through diligent effort and collaboration.

MU students, who push the boundaries of what’s possible, represent the following:
- Every Missouri county
- All 50 states
- 100 countries