Sep. 9, 2026

Inspired to Make an Impact

Story by Logan JacksonPhoto by Morgan Williams Late into his freshman year at Battle High School, Izayah Christopher was looking for an outlet that would allow him to discuss significant topics that were important to him. He found that atmosphere with the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Speech and Debate program. His four years as part of the team were incredibly rewarding, and Christopher was named the William Woods Tate, Jr., National Student of the Year by the National Speech and Debate Association earlier this summer. Christopher said he was thankful for the relationships he built…

Sep. 8, 2026

Finding Her Fit at Mizzou

Story by Logan Jackson Growing up just two hours from Columbia, Anneliese Nguyen was plenty familiar with the University of Missouri. Nguyen’s mother is a Mizzou alumna, and their family made the trek west every so often for Tiger football games, band competitions or choir festivals.  As Nguyen was exploring her college options, Mizzou was toward the top of her list. Having the opportunity to sit in on an Honors College course made the university her top choice, and receiving the Stamps Scholarship made it the only choice.  “The entire Stamps Scholarship interview weekend was incredible,…

Sep. 7, 2026

Bringing Two Passions Together at Mizzou

Story and photo by Logan Jackson When Fawwaz Chohan was making his college decision, he wanted a university that would allow him to pursue his unique combination of interests.  Throughout high school, Chohan was passionate about global studies, particularly the people, cultures and histories that shape different parts of the world. He also had an interest in medicine, as he’d seen the impact medical professionals in his life had made by helping their patients. Mizzou offered him an opportunity to explore both paths.  “Some of the universities I visited said I would probably have to choose one,…

Sep. 6, 2026

A Love for Telling Stories

Story by Logan Jackson Devin Kraber had many interests growing up. They first wanted to travel the world as a pilot. That quickly shifted to exploring the stars as an astronomer. Kraber then decided they wanted to help patients as a pharmacist.  A journalism class their freshman year of high school put Kraber on a completely different path.  “I began writing about people who were incredibly interesting and about things that I was really passionate about,” said Kraber, who is from Coralville, Iowa. “I developed a love for telling stories. I had always been a person…

Sep. 3, 2026

Driven to Help Others

Story and photo by Logan Jackson Sitting in a hotel room surrounded by his high school speech and debate teammates earlier this year, Rey Martin received a phone call that left him a bit speechless. The call was from Honors College Dean Catherine Rymph offering Martin the Stamps Scholarship, Mizzou’s premier academic award.  “Getting that call was insane,” said Martin, who is from Raymore, Missouri. “I was so excited and ran around telling everyone that I was not only going to Mizzou, but I was also going to be a Stamps Scholar.” Mizzou Stamps Scholars have…

Sep. 2, 2026

Engineering Her Own Path

Story by Logan Jackson While Olivia Esbeck grew up just south of Houston, Texas, she had a feeling that she would head north when it came time to begin her college journey.  Esbeck has multiple ties to the University of Missouri, including several generations of family members who are alumni. Her grandfather, Carl Esbeck, is also a professor emeritus in the School of Law. However, when it came to choosing Mizzou, her biggest influence wasn’t family; it was the quality of the degree program that fit her interests perfectly – biomedical engineering. After visiting the College…

Sep. 1, 2026

Embracing a New Challenge

Story and photo by Logan Jackson David Braman set a big goal for himself before his senior year of high school – secure a full-ride college scholarship.  “I had always been passionate about my academics and the leadership positions I held,” Braman said. “Before my senior year, I began doing a lot of research on full-ride academic scholarships across the country. I was really intrigued by what I saw from the University of Missouri and thought it would be the perfect place to begin my next chapter.” Braman is from the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi,…

Aug. 31, 2026

Chasing Her Dream at Mizzou

Story and photo by Logan Jackson Before Tabitha Musangali turned 10, she had already chosen her ideal career – cancer researcher.  “I’ve dreamed of being a researcher since I was in the third grade,” Musangali said. “Cancer research is what I’ve been most passionate about throughout my life. My grandmother died of cancer, and I’m named after her, so there is a special connection there.” It’s a career that Musangali plans to continue to pursue at the University of Missouri as a biochemistry major on the pre-medicine track. Musangali is one of eight Stamps Scholars beginning…

Jan. 12, 2026

Honors College Students Find Confidence, Connection Through Study Abroad

Story by Riley Palshaw Each year, Mizzou Honors College students pack their suitcases and scatter across the world, chasing new experiences in places far from campus through study abroad. They go for different reasons – curiosity, adventure, academic opportunity – but they often return describing the same feeling. Studying abroad, they say, opened their eyes to new ways of living and learning, and became one of the most rewarding decisions they made at Mizzou. The Honors College supports these experiences in more than one way. Some students travel through the college’s own faculty-led…

Aug. 25, 2025

Mizzou Welcomes 2025 Cohort of Stamps Scholars

Story and photo by Logan Jackson The University of Missouri is one of just 36 universities across the United States and into the United Kingdom that partners with the Stamps Scholars Program on a premier scholarship. Mizzou has collaborated with the program since 2017, offering Tigers a full four-year scholarship, covering up to the total estimated cost of attendance (including housing), plus an additional $16,000 enrichment fund for students to use throughout their time at Mizzou. Mizzou has welcomed more than 50 Scholars since the partnership began – and will bring in another stellar cohort this fall.