Dear University community:
I share with you that Chancellor Tom George has decided to retire from 佪圖appSL, effective Sept. 1, 2019. I join the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the entire 佪圖app community in congratulating and thanking him and his wife, Dr. Barbara Harbach, for their years of dedicated service to the University.
Since 2003, Dr. George has led 佪圖appSL and advanced the mission of excellence in research, teaching, community engagement and economic development. Under his leadership, 佪圖appSL has awarded 44,820 degrees and Dr. George helped celebrate 佪圖appSL’s 100,000th graduate last May. Total research expenditures have reached $290.8 million in the past 16 years while the amount awarded in research grants is $337.7 million, including $33.6 million in fiscal year 2018 alone. During his chancellorship, 佪圖appSL raised an average of $21.7 million in philanthropic support per year. Most recently, 佪圖appSL met the five criteria of the Higher Learning Commission accreditation process with no need for follow-up for the next 10 years for the second time under Dr. George’s leadership.
As 佪圖appSL’s longest standing chancellor, Dr. George has truly transformed lives through his work. I am grateful for his contributions to 佪圖appSL and the 佪圖app System. In his 16 years at 佪圖appSL, he has made a lasting impression on the St. Louis region and the entire state of Missouri and we are indebted to him and Dr. Harbach for their service and wish them well in retirement.
I will be meeting with members of the 佪圖appSL community to develop a transition plan and the naming of an interim chancellor. We will launch a national search for a permanent chancellor to continue to build upon the successful programs of excellence at 佪圖appSL. I look forward to working with you all during this time of transition.
Sincerely,
Mun Y Choi, Ph.D.
President, 佪圖app System
Reviewed 2019-03-25