U.S. Senator Kit Bond thanks colleagues and friends for establishing the endowed lecture series at the March 7 announcement in Reynolds Alumni Center. The series will provide a forum for nationally and internationally recognized leaders.
For almost 40 years, U.S. Senator Christopher Samuel “Kit” Bond has dedicated his life and career to the growth and progress of the state of Missouri. But in January 2009, he made the difficult decision to retire from political life.. With the news of his colleague and friend’s decision, Senator John C. Danforth resolved to raise money for a public project to honor Bond’s career, which includes two terms as the governor of Missouri and 24 years of service in the U.S. Senate. When he asked Bond how he would like to be honored, Bond said it took him a “nanosecond” to direct it to the University of Missouri. “It has been clear to me from the beginning,” says Bond, “that having a fully resourced state university that can be recognized as a class university is absolutely essential to the wellbeing of our citizens, to the growth of our economy and to our progress.”
With Bond’s wishes in mind, Danforth, along with UM Board of Curators President Warren Erdman and former UM Board of Curators Chair Tom Atkins, began raising funds to establish The Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Lecture Series, an endowed fund and the second largest endowed lecture series at a public university. “It’s the easiest thing to raise money for Kit Bond,” says Danforth, “because people across Missouri recognize what a gift he is to the state.” Together, friends and colleagues across Missouri raised $1.3M for the endowment.
The lecture series will serve as a forum for nationally and internationally recognized leaders to explore issues that are important to Senator Bond. Of special interest to him are issues that have contemporary significance and impact economic, science, political and security policy. Speakers will be chosen by a special committee appointed by Chancellor Brady Deaton with the lectures located in cities and campuses throughout Missouri.
“The University is proud to be the home of the Kit Bond Distinguished Lecture Series” says MU Chancellor Brady Deaton. “During his time as governor and senator, Kit Bond meant so much to the university.”
Deaton credits Bond for directing just over $500 million in federal research and capital funds to the University of Missouri System. “The University of Missouri is the flagship university of the state,” says Bond. “If you want the state to be well educated; if you want the state to have the research to create jobs; if you want to have a university that will establish Missouri as a first-class state, you need to support the university.”
If you are inspired to make an impact on the growth and advancement of Missouri, please give to the Christopher S. Kit Bond Lectures Series today.
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