University of Missouri proves itself as good neighbor to Columbia

When my wife, Nancy, and I began considering places to live more than a decade ago, we knew we wanted the culturally rich atmosphere of an energetic college community. As natives of Iowa, we also treasured the joys of living in the Midwest. And, as longtime visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks, where I wet many a fishhook, we knew Missouri offered wonderful recreational opportunities.

That is why, after careful consideration, we selected Boone County as our home base. It was one of the best decisions we’ve made.

Columbia is a place we celebrate and enjoy — from working out at the ARC, to playing golf, to dining out, to lifting our voices in harmony with good friends in the MU Chorale Union. In short, Nancy and I are your Boone County neighbors by choice.

The presence of the University of Missouri helped lure us here years ago, but my experiences since becoming interim president in April have reaffirmed my personal belief that the university and the community make great neighbors.

The university is an irreplaceable public good, and Columbia and the entire state receive the benefits. Obviously, the university contributes directly to mid-Missouri’s economy through its payroll and the purchase of goods and services.

Then there is the tremendous financial impact of providing a home for thousands of students and dependents — not to mention that the university draws tens of thousands of visitors to Columbia every year.

Of course, the university enriches our community, county and region in non-financial terms through the arts, health care, sports, volunteerism and myriad other activities. The impact of those things is measured not in dollars, but is reflected in an excellent quality of life, which is priceless.

As a good neighbor, the university wants to do even more. That is why our board of curators added economic development to our traditional missions of teaching, research and service.

An excellent example of the impact of that ambitious new mission is visible along U.S. Highway 63, near New Haven Road. The home of ABC Laboratories is rising in our new Discovery Ridge research park, which is designed to be a good neighbor.

Hewn from our much larger South Farm, which has been a center of the university’s agricultural research for decades, Discovery Ridge will nurture businesses relying on scientific research from the University of Missouri. This development will sustain for the future the university’s commitment to developing Missouri’s economy, as will our research parks in St. Charles County and Fort Leonard Wood.

Adjacent to Discovery Ridge, a new highway interchange will serve the entire community, offering connections not only to the research park east of Highway 63 and to neighborhoods planned on the west side, but to expansive new parkland as well. Discovery Ridge’s design is environmentally friendly to natural waterways and wildlife.

In the not-too-distant future, I will relinquish my interim role, but the Lamb family will still be your neighbors in Columbia. Although the university’s leadership may change, its commitment to the community and to the state will endure day in and day out, as it has since 1839. It will remain a good neighbor, too.

We’ll see you around town.