MU Announces Lecture Series to Honor Kit Bond

$1.3 million endowment to fund series of nationally acclaimed speakers in Missouri

March 7th, 2011

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri is pleased to announce the creation of the Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture series will be a permanently endowed fund at the University of Missouri and will provide a forum for nationally and internationally recognized leaders to explore issues of contemporary significance regarding economics, science, political and security policy.

Friends and colleagues have raised more than $1.3 million for the endowed fund. Speakers will be chosen by a special committee appointed by Chancellor Brady Deaton and the lectures will be located in cities and campuses throughout Missouri designated by the committee. The committee members are Cathy Scroggs, MU’s vice chancellor of student affairs; Thomas Payne, dean of the MU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Michael O’Brien, dean of the MU College of Arts and Science; and James Thompson, dean of the MU College of Engineering.

The endowment establishes a lasting tribute to former U.S. Senator Kit Bond, for his advocacy for higher education and public service to the state of Missouri and the nation. Chancellor Brady Deaton says MU is honored to pay tribute to Senator Bond’s legacy.

“The University is proud to be the home of the Kit Bond Distinguished Lecture Series,” Deaton said. “During his time as governor and senator, Kit Bond meant so much to the university. We will take to heart the charge to provide a forum for world and national leaders who are experts in the areas that are so important to Senator Bond: the economy, science, and political and security policy.”

Senator Bond believes that supporting the University of Missouri and higher education is essential to improving the state of Missouri and is honored by the recognition he has received for his work in public service.

“The University of Missouri is the flagship university of the state,” Bond said. “If you want the state to be well educated; if you want the state to have the research to create jobs; if you want to have a university that will establish Missouri as a first-class state, you need to support the university. I am deeply honored and have been truly blessed by the opportunities I have had and I give my whole-hearted thanks to the people of Missouri who have given me the opportunity to serve.”