Three years after giving her first State of the University Address at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Chancellor Cheryl B. Schrader reflected on the transformation that has occurred on campus and challenged the campus community to create a culture of gratitude.

Speaking to students, faculty and staff members in Leach Theatre of Castleman Hall on the Missouri S&T campus, Schrader explained that a culture of gratitude means valuing the contributions of all faculty, staff, students, administrators and partners.

“A culture of gratitude is an approach that ties into our values and infuses into all aspects of campus,” Schrader said. “It means giving thanks, appreciating others, and recognizing how blessed we are to be at Missouri S&T.

“I am grateful for the warm welcome you gave me and my family more than three and a half years ago,” Schrader said. “I am grateful that you rose to the challenge of creating and implementing our bold strategic plan. I am grateful for your trust.”

Schrader acknowledged the dedication of Missouri S&T faculty, noting results of a recent survey that indicated that 93 percent of alumni would recommend Missouri S&T to a prospective college student.

“Numbers like that don’t happen by accident,” Schrader said. “They are the result of the quality education you provide – the personal attention, the expertise shared and the active learning available inside and outside the classroom. Thank you.”

Also during her State of the University Address, Schrader highlighted several accomplishments, including:

• $12.1 million in state funds for the university’s No. 1 capital priority, a renovation of Schrenk Hall, which houses chemistry, biochemistry and biological sciences degree programs. Those funds were matched by $5 million from the University of Missouri System and $1 million from campus.
• $1.2 million in state funds matched by $1.2 million in private investments for a new teaching and research facility at Missouri S&T’s Experimental Mine.
• Research and collaboration agreements with Boeing, Phelps County Regional Medical Center and Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies.
• Increased multidisciplinary research funding for proposals in economics, chemistry, biological sciences, mathematics and statistics, and arts, languages, and philosophy that relate to our signature research and education areas.
• Received $20 million in strategic initiative funds from the University of Missouri System since fiscal year 2013 based on the strength of the strategic plan and progress implementing it. This year Missouri S&T received $1.5 million in state performance funding appropriation.
• Filled 25 additional faculty lines, with 13 more faculty hires in progress, toward the goal of adding 100 additional faculty by 2020. Plans call for an investment of $1 million in the coming year to add another seven to nine faculty members.
• Worked to raise staff compensation for those whose salaries are below market value and working to bring average salaries closer to the median.

Schrader also thanked the faculty and staff in attendance for the work they do every day.

“Thank you for all you do to make the wheels of the university turn,” Schrader said. “I truly appreciate your efforts.”

She also invited audience members to attend a Strategic Planning Summit at noon on Nov. 3 in the Havener Center on campus. “There you will get the inside scoop on our strategic initiatives and meet the leaders behind our plan levers.”