Honoring the Tiger spirit

[Link]The M-I-Z statue.

Nov. 14, 2024
Contact: Eric Stann, 573-882-3346, [email protected]
Photo by Abbie Lankitus

MIZ! … ZOU!

These six letters bring Tigers together - from future students to alumni - in one powerful voice, celebrating all that Missouri's flagship university stands for. Now, a new sign in the heart of the University of Missouri's campus permanently honors that collective passion and spirit: the M-I-Z statue.

Located in what's now known as MIZ Pocket Park outside of the Reynolds Alumni Center, the statue serves as a symbol for all Mizzou Tigers. It greets new students embarking on their Mizzou journey; stands watch as current students cross campus; and welcomes back alumni - more than 362,000 strong - returning to Columbia.

"You can shout 'M-I-Z' at an airport or train station halfway around the world, and someone, or a group of people, will answer back, 'Z-O-U,'" said Robin Wenneker, chair of the University of Missouri Board of Curators and a former president of the Mizzou Alumni Association (MAA) Board of Directors. "It's the sign that we share a special connection and are part of a worldwide family of Tigers."

Much like the iconic call itself, the statue promises to be a lasting source of Mizzou pride. And there's plenty to be proud of. Mizzou is ranked No. 4 among all flagship universities for best value and No. 10 for the best college for future leaders in the U.S., with more than 95% of graduates finding success within six months.

As the latest addition to the Carnahan Quadrangle following Tiger Plaza in 2003 and Traditions Plaza in 2015, the M-I-Z statue is another example of the commitment MAA has to the Mizzou experience, said Todd McCubbin, MAA executive director.

"It was back in the late 1970s that this cheer took off as a call-and-response at games, soon becoming a beloved greeting among Tigers worldwide," he said. "Now, with this new statue on campus, we have a lasting reminder that as Tigers, we carry the Z-O-U spirit within us, no matter where life takes us."

The spirit of Mizzou has helped spark unique traditions, events and programs that create lifelong connections between students and their alma mater, strengthening the Tiger family with each new generation. The M-I-Z statue is more than a landmark; it's a celebration of the Mizzou legacy.

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