Join the Chamber for the \;first \;Quarterly Membership Breakfast of the 2014-2015 program year on \;Thursday\, September 4\, 2014 at 7:15 a.m. \;at the Holiday Inn Expo Center. \;This popular Chamber networking event is a must attend. \;

The cost per person is $20 online and registration is open through \;midnight on September \;2 and includes an expanded continental breakfast. After \;midnight on September \;2 or at the door\, the price is $25. If paying at the door\, please have payment \;at time of registration. We will no longer be invoicing on the day of the event\, so please have payment ready. \;For more information\, please contact Mary Kroening at the Chamber\, (573) 817-9110.

Thank you to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor Zimmer \;Radio &\; \;Marketing Group\; Gold Sponsor The University of Missouri\; Silver Sponsors Caledon Virtual LLC &\; The Trust Company\; Printing Sponsor Columbia Printing and Sign\; Door Prize Sponsors Anytime Fitness\, The Broadway - A Doubletree by Hilton\, Dave Griggs Flooring America\, Hampton Inn \;&\; Suites - Columbia at the University of Missouri\, Honey Baked Ham Co. and Cafe\, JobFinders Employment Services\, Plaza Dental Group \;and Stoney Creek Hotel &\; Conference Center.

The University of Missouri will give a 20 minute presentation during the program.

This year marks the 175^th anniversary of the University of Missouri’s founding in 1839\, when 900 Boone County residents donated land and cash to establish the first public university west of the Mississippi River.

“We hope you will take a moment to reflect on MU’s proud history\, made possible thanks to 175 years of community support\,” Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin said. “You and thousands before you have helped shape our state’s great flagship university. Thank you for your enduring faith in higher education.”

Alumni\, friends\, state and federal leaders and countless students\, faculty and staff have invested in MU for decades. Throughout 2014\, Tigers everywhere are celebrating milestones that have shaped Mizzou. Here are a few:

MU had two students in its first graduating class in 1843 and has since become an economic and scholarly powerhouse with a $2.1 billion budget\, 34\,658 students and 271\,000 alumni worldwide.
MU’s first building\, Academic Hall\, burned to the ground in 1892. Now the university has 357 buildings and 19\,261 acres statewide\; 317 degrees and certificates through 18 colleges and schools\; more than 100 extension offices\; six hospitals and 50+ clinics\; nine libraries\; and two museums.
The federal Morrill Act gave MU land-grant status in 1870. The legislation set in motion the university’s statewide mission of service to citizens. Today more than 1 million people turn to extension programs each year.
In 1908\, MU was invited to become a member of the Association of American Universities\, an organization of the most prestigious public and private research universities. A century later\, Mizzou generates new knowledge and jobs as the state’s largest public research university.
During the mid-19th century\, cows often roamed freely eating campus greenery. In the 21st century\, MU is a botanic garden with 42\,000 plants and trees.