The Columns (Columbia, Missouri)

Academic Hall was the original main building of the University of Missouri. It was dedicated in 1843 and destroyed by fire in 1892. Academic Hall's six Ionic columns, today known as The Columns, stand on Francis Quadrangle as the most recognizable symbol of the University of Missouri.

David R. Francis Quadrangle is the historical center of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Known as The Quad, it is the oldest part of Red Campus and adjacent to Downtown Columbia at the south end of the Avenue of the Columns. At its center are six Ionic columns, all that remains of the original university building Academic Hall. Twelve buildings front the modern quadrangle including the domed main administration building Jesse Hall, the tallest building in Columbia. The Quad was designed and constructed by architect Morris Frederick Bell and his assistant William Lincoln Garver. It is named after Missouri governor David R. Francis. Eighteen structures, including the entire quad and most of Red Campus are listed as the Francis Quadrangle National Historic District. An obelisk, the original tombstone of Thomas Jefferson, stands in front of the Chancellor's Residence. It was gifted to the University by Jefferson's descendants in recognition of Missouri's ties to Virginia. In front of Jesse Hall stand markers honoring university president Richard Henry Jesse and Missouri governor David R. Francis. Nearby is another obelisk in memory of Missouri's first U.S. senator David Barton, The Missouri School of Journalism is located at the northeast corner of The Quad, comprising Walter Williams Hall, Neff Hall, Gannet Hall, along with the Reynolds Journalism Institute. To the west, Switzler Hall is the oldest academic building on campus, though the Residence on the Quad, home of the chancellor, is the oldest building overall. The University of Missouri College of Engineering completes the west side. Pickard Hall is currently closed due to radiation contamination from turn of the century experiments. Swallow Hall was recently renovated and houses the Departments of Anthropology, Visual Studies and Ancient Mediterranean Studies.

Switzler Hall is an academic hall on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. The building was completed in 1872, and it is located on the west side of the David R. Francis Quadrangle. Switzler Hall is the oldest academic building and second oldest structure on campus after the Chancellor's Residence. The building was named after Colonel William Franklin Switzler, editor and publisher of the Missouri Statesman and supporter of the University. Today the building houses the Department of Communication, Women's and Gender Studies, and the Special Degrees Program. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Museum of Art and Archaeology is the art museum of the University of Missouri. It is located at Mizzou North (former Ellis Fischel Cancer Center) on Business Loop 70 West in Columbia, Missouri. The Museum's galleries are free and open to the public. The galleries are open from 9 am to 4 pm Tuesday-Friday and noon to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The galleries are closed on Mondays and University holidays. The Museum of Art and Archaeology receives support from the Missouri Arts Council.

The Mizzou Botanic Garden contains thousands of plants within the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, United States. The Garden includes famous icons, such as Thomas Jefferson's original grave marker and the Columns of Academic Hall, and is open year-round, only asking for a small donation to visit. Notable collections within the Garden include: Arboretum in McAlester Park 4 acres (1.6 ha), with more than 100 trees of 43 species. Asiatic & Oriental Lily Garden. Beetle Bailey Statue and Garden: Cartoon character Beetle Bailey and the surrounding gardens pay tribute to Mort Walker, creator of Beetle Bailey and MU distinguished alum. Bulb Display Garden. Butterfly Garden. Daylily Garden: Features more than 50 cultivars of daylily hybrids donated by the Central Missouri Hemerocallis Society. Ellis Perennial Garden. Hydrangea: 10 varieties of the genus Hydrangea. Jefferson Garden: Includes cardinal flower, columbine, Virginia bluebells, sweetshrub, and Rose of Sharon. A bronze sculpture of Thomas Jefferson, as well as the original tombstone, a simple obelisk, which once sat next to Jefferson's grave, are also located in the garden. Life Sciences Discovery Garden. Mel Carnahan Quadrangle. Memorial Union Gardens. Native Missouri Tree Collection. Peony Garden: Features peonies, lilacs and other "old-fashioned" plants. Perennial Phlox Garden: Features 11 varieties of perennial phlox and English roses. Rothwell Family Garden. The Gardens on David R. Francis Quadrangle: More than 100 hardy, herbaceous perennials, with ornamental shrubs, trees and annual flowers woven throughout the garden. Tiger Plaza. Tree Trails: There are three self-guided walks designed to highlight the trees on campus. Wildlife Pond: In the 1920s, a spring north of Stephens Hall was transformed into a pond surrounded by a Japanese garden with an arched bridge and Pagoda gate. Recently several water plants native to Missouri, including Water Lilies, Pickerel Weed, Copper Iris and Thalia have been added.

Jesse Hall, formerly New Academic Hall, is the main administration building for the University of Missouri. Its dome has towered 180 feet (55 m) above the south end of David R. Francis Quadrangle since its completion in 1895. In the lawn in front of Jesse Hall are The Columns, all that remains of its predecessor Academic Hall, which was destroyed by fire in 1892. The building contains the office of the chancellor, university registrar, graduate school, admissions, and financial aid. One of the most photographic landmarks in Missouri, the building was designed by Missouri architect Morris Frederick Bell, and is his largest surviving work. Jesse Auditorium had hosted graduations and many university functions over the years. The University Concert Series presents national and international concerts, Broadway shows, performers, bands, speakers, and theater to the largest auditorium in Columbia. As the former home of the School of Music, student performances occasionally take place. The building is the most prominent contributing structure to the David R. Francis Quadrangle National Register of Historic Places District. In 1922, "New Academic Hall" was renamed "Jesse Hall" in honor of retiring University President Richard Henry Jesse.

The University of Missouri (Mizzou or MU) is a public land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus University of Missouri System. MU was founded in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi River. It has been a member of the Association of American Universities since 1908 and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".Enrolling 31,401 students in 2021, it offers more than 300 degree programs in thirteen major academic divisions. Its Missouri School of Journalism, founded by Walter Williams in 1908, was established as the world's first journalism school; it publishes a daily newspaper, the Columbia Missourian, and operates NBC affiliate KOMU. The University of Missouri Research Reactor Center is the sole source of isotopes in nuclear medicine in the United States. The university operates University of Missouri Health Care, running several hospitals and clinics in Mid-Missouri. Its NCAA Division I athletic teams are the Missouri Tigers, and compete in the Southeastern Conference. The American tradition of homecoming is claimed to have originated at MU. Its alumni, faculty, and staff include 18 Rhodes Scholars, 19 Truman Scholars, 141 Fulbright Scholars, 7 Governors of Missouri, and 4 members of the U.S. Congress. Two alumni and faculty have been awarded the Nobel Prize: alumnus Frederick Chapman Robbins won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1954 and George Smith (chemist) was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2018 while affiliated with the university.

The Robert J. Trulaske Sr. College of Business, more commonly known as the Trulaske College of Business, is the second largest academic division at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

The University of Missouri College of Education & Human Development is located at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. The school is composed of six academic departments offering doctoral, graduate and undergraduate programs both on campus and online. Founded in 1867 as the state normal school, MU was one of the first state universities in the country to undertake the professional training of teachers as a regular part of its collegiate work. In 2021, the college became the College of Education & Human Development.

The University of Missouri College of Engineering is one of the 19 academic schools and colleges of the University of Missouri, a public land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri. The college, also known as Mizzou Engineering, has an enrollment of 3,204 students who are enrolled in 10 bachelor’s programs, nine master’s programs and seven doctorate programs. There are six academic departments within the College: Chemical and Biomedica Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Industrial and Systems Engineering; Engineering and Information Technology; and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The college traces its beginning to the first engineering courses taught west of the Mississippi River in 1849. The college was ranked 88th nationally by the U.S. News & World Report in 2016.

The University of Missouri College of Arts and Science (A&S) is the liberal arts and sciences unit of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Established in 1841, the college is currently the largest unit at MU in terms of the number of students enrolled and the largest academic division in the state of Missouri. The college encompasses a 25 departments, programs, and schools, including the University of Missouri School of Music The college is located in more than 50 buildings throughout the main campus of the university. The headquarters is located in Lowry Hall on 9th Street.

The Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs is one of twenty-one schools and colleges at the University of Missouri. Established in 2001, it was previously known as the Department of Public Administration. The school mission is to "advance the knowledge and practice of governance in Missouri, the nation, and beyond by informing public policy, educating for ethical leadership in public service, and fostering democratic discourse among citizens, policy makers, and scholars." As part of the College of Arts and Science, the school awards master's, and doctoral degrees. The school is named after Missourian and U.S. President, Harry S. Truman. It was ranked the 38th best public affairs program by U.S. News & World Report in 2020.