Hiles announces retirement from MU, will complete Mizzou: Our Time to Lead Campaign

Vice chancellor for advancement credits alumni, staff for Mizzou’s recent success

August 12th, 2019

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright announced Tom Hiles will retire from his position as vice chancellor for advancement when Mizzou: Our Time to Lead concludes. His last day at MU will be June 30, 2020.

“Between a record-breaking fundraising year and announcing that our endowment surpassed $1 billion, it has truly been a remarkable year for Missouri’s flagship university,” Cartwright said. “We appreciate all of Tom’s contributions to those successes, and his work to advance MU’s relationship with our alumni and friends.”

Hiles joined MU in 2012. In 2015, he led the launch of Mizzou: Our Time to Lead, a comprehensive campaign with a goal of raising $1.3 billion to support and advance the educational and research goals of the university.

“I am proud of what our team was able to accomplish at Mizzou,” Hiles said. “Mizzou Tigers are passionate, and their commitment to the university will make Mizzou strong for generations to come. As I look toward my next chapter I know that Mizzou is on solid ground because of great leadership and a dedicated team. I look forward to spending some quality time with my family and friends in my retirement. I also plan to look for other ways to use my experience to help our community and other universities.”

Since his time at MU, Hiles has led University Advancement through major milestones, including:

• Establishing four new signature centers and institutes since the start of the campaign.
• Increasing MU’s endowment by 34% since 2014.
• Raising more than $35.2 million through Mizzou Giving Days, which began in 2017.
• Securing 131 gifts of $1 million or more, including a record-breaking 29 such gifts last year.

“This has been a campaign of continued record-breaking success,” said Richard Miller, Mizzou: Our Time to Lead campaign cabinet tri-chair. “On behalf of Mizzou alumni and supporters, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Tom for his leadership. Together, we have made Mizzou a stronger institution.”

Mizzou: Our Time to Lead aims to secure MU’s status among the nation’s top public universities by focusing on four priorities:

• Establishing a strong endowment to help attract and retain the best and brightest students and faculty.
• Enhancing MU’s status as one of America’s leading research universities through the creation of signature centers and institutes.
• Spurring a campus renaissance with new and renovated facilities that support our education and research missions.
• Developing student success initiatives that give Mizzou students access to world-class learning opportunities, and ensure they thrive on campus and throughout their lives.

Cartwright said the university will launch a national search for a new vice chancellor for advancement in the coming months, and Hiles and other university leaders will assist with the transition to new leadership.