Paul and Lynn Ann Vogel know first-hand how the University of Missouri has helped build up the St. Louis community and beyond. An alumnus of the school, Paul was able to launch and grow his legal career using the education he received, as well as the connections he made with peers and mentors. Lynn Ann’s engagement with the university was initially founded in her passion for football, but that dedication has spread to supporting how the school fuels economic growth and health care innovations. “Mizzou makes a major difference across the entire state,” she notes. “If you want to make society a better place, support the children and education.” The Vogels are serving as co-chairs for Power the Roar, a landmark fundraising campaign for the university.
Launched in September 2025, Power the Roar is the most ambitious fundraiser in the University of Missouri’s history, aiming to raise $2 billion. The initiative’s goal is to unite students, alumni and the community to tackle global challenges and create opportunities across Missouri and beyond. “The campaign comes at a time of incredible growth, both in terms of enrollment and student success metrics,” university president Mun Y. Choi notes. “Mizzou sports teams have captured the attention of Missourians across the state, and we’re seeing incredible success in research breakthroughs. The timing is perfect to work towards this historic goal.”
Power the Roar is divided into key pillars that reflect the strengths of the University of Missouri. A major component is the medical innovation being done at the school to help save lives. The university brings together top researchers and facilities to develop groundbreaking treatments for a healthier tomorrow. This includes work being done at the NextGen Precision Health facility, important breakthroughs in pediatric care and the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR), which is the only U.S. producer of radioisotopes that play a critical role in both treating and diagnosing cancer. “The research being done is not only impacting Missouri—the medication and treatments being developed will help the world,” Paul Vogel notes.
Research at the university is also being used to build a stronger Missouri. The school is working to double the state’s agriculture economy by 2030 and build new partnerships between rural and urban communities. Thanks to breakthroughs in engineering, agriculture and other sciences, the University of Missouri is advancing sustainability and addressing the most urgent challenges the planet is facing while also driving economic opportunity. “By harnessing the potential of renewable and nuclear energy, we’re ensuring the university has the power needed to not only develop a sustainable world, but also invest in the growth of Missouri,” Choi says.
The work being done at the University of Missouri is all part of its mission to prepare the next generation of leaders, changemarkers, problem solvers and community builders. The school supports a population of more than 31,000 students, as well as a network of more than 370,000 alumni. Power the Roar will help prepare students at the university for success beyond the classroom, while also supporting the world-class athletics program that guides student athletes to thrive on and off the field. “Mizzou develops not only champions in athletics, but also champions in research, innovation and more,” Lynn Ann Vogel explains. “The university does an incredible job educating future leaders.”
The Power the Roar campaign would not be possible without the support of key partners like the Vogels. According to Choi, individual donors are responsible for raising the bulk of funds to support the initiative. He is especially grateful the Vogels have agreed to lead the campaign, sharing their expertise as philanthropists and community leaders. “The university is sustained by the generosity of people like Paul and Lynn Ann,” he notes. “They believe in us, they believe in Power the Roar and they believe in the incredible returns their investment will create for the school and the people we serve.”
To celebrate the University of Missouri and its local impact, the alumni association will be hosting the St. Louis Black & Gold Gala on May 9 at the Saint Louis Club. The event will honor the achievements of alumni in the St. Louis community. “While the main focus is Mizzou graduates, anyone is welcome,” Paul Vogel says. “We’re excited to highlight and celebrate the passion the university and its alumni have for building up the St. Louis region.”
Power the Roar is the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the University of Missouri’s history, with a goal of $2 billion. The initiative unites alumni and community partners to support the school in tackling global challenges and improving lives across Missouri. Pictured on the cover: University president Mun Y. Choi and Power the Roar co-chairs Lynn Ann and Paul Vogel. For more information, call 866.267.7568 or visit powertheroar.com.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
