Athletics honors, an international education opportunity and a look at future campus construction projects were among the topics addressed by Dr. Warren K. Wray, interim chancellor of Missouri University of Science and Technology, during his State of the University Address Tuesday (Dec. 13, 2011) on the Missouri S&T campus.

Delivering his first State of the University address since being named interim chancellor in August 2011, Wray discussed plans to partner with the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Chinese university to create a new university in Chengdu, China, to be called Sichuan Missouri University (SMU).

All courses at SMU will be taught in English. Missouri S&T will lend expertise in developing programs in mining engineering, metallurgical engineering, ceramic engineering and engineering management. UMSL will develop courses in business, nursing, graphic design, and social work and gerontology. Officials expect an enrollment of between 4,000 and 8,000 students. The first class will enroll in fall 2013.

“The development of Sichuan Missouri University presents the opportunity to link the University of Missouri and the economy of the state of Missouri to one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing economies in today’s global economy,” Wray said.

In his address, Wray also recognized the Miner athletics program for its recent successes. Among those recognized were the S&T volleyball team, GLVC West Division Champions and NCAA National Tournament participants, the S&T baseball team, GLVC West Division Champions and NCAA National Tournament participants, the S&T football team, which had 11 players named to the GLFC’s All-Academic Team, and the S&T men’s soccer team, which qualified for the GLVC Tournament and was ranked No. 7 nationally in 2011.

Wray also recognized volleyball coach Jason Holt, football coach David Brown and assistant football coach Bryan Nardo for being named Coach of the Year.

Wray concluded his address with an invitation to meet newly appointed University of Missouri President Timothy M. Wolfe, who will visit campus at 4:30 p.m. today in the Havener Center Atrium.