April 2, 2026
Sophie Hof Named Goldwater Scholar
Story by Logan Jackson In less than two years at the University of Missouri, Sophie Hof has developed a solid research foundation, one that she will continue to build upon as a recipient of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. The award is one of the most distinguished national scholarships in science, engineering and mathematics in the United States. A total of 454 Goldwater Scholarships were awarded for the 2026-27 academic year from more than 5,000 applicants. “It was incredibly exciting to be named a Goldwater Scholar and a surprise!” said Hof, a sophomore biological sciences major who…
April 1, 2026
Mizzou to Collaborate with SEC Honors Colleges on Athletics Course
Story and photo by Logan Jackson The University of Missouri Honors College will collaborate with Honors Colleges from nine Southeastern Conference (SEC) universities this fall on a course that will explore the changing landscape across collegiate athletics. Through a combination of Zoom sessions with SEC partners and in-person, Mizzou-specific seminars, the course will explore the history and mission of NCAA athletics and recent legal settlements impacting college athletics and their effects on higher education, student athletes and college sports. “This course will challenge students to examine collegiate athletics from different perspectives, including not only those of…
March 31, 2026
Rachel Mueller Earns Critical Language Scholarship
Story by Logan Jackson Two years ago, Rachel Mueller spent the summer refining her Korean language skills while on vacation with her father in South Korea. She learned enough to order at a restaurant and make purchases at various stores and soon began searching for further opportunities to expand her Korean language abilities. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) provided her that opportunity, and Mueller spent last summer in Gwangju, South Korea, through the program. She followed that work with a study abroad experience to Seoul, South Korea, and will now have the chance to return to South…
March 29, 2026
Inspiring the Next Generation of Honors College Tigers
Story by Logan Jackson When Heather Humphrey recently received an invitation to share career advice with University of Missouri Honors College students, her first call was to her son, Jim, a sophomore business administration major at Mizzou who is also pursuing the Honors College Certificate. Jim was immediately on board. “I was thrilled to learn that she had been invited,” he said. “I love hearing her talk about her career and what she’s accomplished because I look up to her so much. She’s an incredible role model for me, and I knew it would be…
March 29, 2026
Staying Active in the Honors College
Story by Logan Jackson The Mizzou Honors College offers a handful of unique General Honors courses each semester, from interdisciplinary seminars to topic-specific tutorials. During her first year as a Tiger, Jane Meyer has taken full advantage of those opportunities. In just two semesters, Meyer, an English major, has participated in two Humanities Sequence courses, a tutorial, the Honors Book Club class and even completed an independent study tied to research. “The Honors College is a big reason as to why I chose Mizzou,” said Meyer, who also attended the Missouri Scholars Academy before her junior year…
March 2, 2026
Caleb Simpson Named Finalist for Prestigious Truman Scholarship
Story and photo by Logan Jackson Toward the end of his freshman year at Mizzou, Caleb Simpson received an unexpected email from the Office of Global and National Fellowships; he had been anonymously recommended for an introductory meeting with the office. “I was definitely intrigued by the email,” said Simpson, an agribusiness management major from Bolivar, Missouri, who is also pursuing the Honors College Certificate. “I had never really considered that applying for high-profile scholarships or fellowships would be something that could be up my alley. Since I wasn’t heavily engaged in undergraduate research, I didn’t think…
Feb. 26, 2026
Deaton Scholars Program Brings Together Students to Solve Complex Problems
Story and photos by Logan Jackson Since 2017, the Deaton Scholars Program has allowed Mizzou students to be part of innovative, interdisciplinary teams dedicated to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The program has been overseen by the Honors College for the past year, and while there have been a few changes, the mission remains the same – bring together motivated Mizzou students to collaborate on solutions to pressing local and global challenges rooted in poverty. “It has been extremely exciting to continue the program via the Honors College,” said Michelle Teti,…
Feb. 15, 2026
Honors College to Welcome Sam Quinones as Cherng Distinguished Scholar
Story by Logan Jackson The Mizzou Honors College will welcome journalist and award-winning author Sam Quinones to campus in April as its Cherng Distinguished Scholar. Quinones will connect with Mizzou students, faculty and staff through a public lecture, seminars and classroom visits. His public lecture will be at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, in 2501 Mizzou Student Center (Leadership Auditorium). The event is free and open to all. “Sam Quinones is an incredible storyteller,” said Catherine Rymph, dean of the Mizzou Honors College. “He has spent years conducting in-depth reporting on gangs, drug trafficking and…
Jan. 20, 2026
Bringing Education to Life
Story and photos by Logan Jackson For the past 30 years, Gary Smith has brought the cases of renowned lawyer Clarence Darrow to life through a Mizzou Honors College Seminar course, “Attorney for the Damned” (GN_HON 1050H). Along with diving deeper into Darrow’s high-profile work, Smith engages with students on current events and Mizzou history. “I have always been fascinated with history, and I think I maybe wanted to be a lawyer, but I never got around to it,” said Smith, director emeritus of admissions and registrar. While Smith has been a staple at Mizzou and…
Jan. 14, 2026
Honors College Welcomes New Cohort of Tarkow Teaching Fellows
Story by Logan Jackson For the past two years, Mizzou faculty from across campus have shared their expertise with students pursuing the Honors College Certificate through the Tarkow Teaching Fellows program. The program was developed to honor the incredible teaching legacy of Ted Tarkow, a professor emeritus of classical studies. Funded, in part, through an endowed gift in honor of Ted and Marjorie Tarkow, the Tarkow Teaching Fellows form a collaborative cohort that work with Honors College faculty and administrators to develop and teach the “Honors Book Club” course, which offers students the opportunity to dive deeper…