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New York Post
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Prep in your step: 10 perfect pieces for an effortless summer wardrobe
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. Once reserved for Ivy League legacies and summers on the Vineyard, preppy style has taken a fresh turn. For Gen Z (and the fashion-savvy among us), it's no longer just polos and pleated skirts — it's playful, pastel, and TikTok-approved. Think: tennis-core meets coquette-core with a side of vintage Ralph. At its roots, preppy fashion still channels that polished, East Coast ease — crisp collars, tailored shorts, and breezy button-downs that whispers old money energy. But in 2025, it's less about old rules and more about reimagining tradition with personality — and just the right amount of pink. So, whether you're heading to the Hamptons or just dressing like you are, we've rounded up 10 summer-perfect pieces that deliver on style, quality, and, yes, serious prep appeal. Trust me — you don't need a trust fund to dress like you have one. A crisp white button-down is the backbone of any preppy wardrobe — and this one from Old Navy is shockingly good Lightweight, tailored, and available in a rainbow of colors and patterns, it's the kind of versatile staple you'll wear on repeat. The Button-Down Shirt comes in regular, petite, and tall sizes — plus a range of fits from classic to slim — so you can style it oversized with bike shorts or tucked into a pleated mini for that ultra-clean, ultra-prep look. The white version is a best-seller (and for good reason — it nails that 'borrowed-from-my-boarding-school-boyfriend' energy), but we're also loving the playful stripes and pastel patterns for a more personality-packed twist. Oh — and it's on sale for $25. Total no-brainer. The Oaklynn Belted Mini Shirtdress from En Saison is your new summer MVP — perfect for everything from white parties to weekend wanderings Tailored yet playful, this dress features a crisp pleated skirt, chic gold buttons, and a subtle bow belt that cinches the waist just right. The clean, classic color keeps things fresh and effortlessly polished, making it equally office-appropriate or perfect for a long stroll through SoHo or the Upper East Side. It's the kind of dress that looks like you meant to dress up — but also like you didn't try too hard. Loafers are the ultimate preppy power move — and this pair from Vertundy delivers major old-money energy without the old-money price tag We all know the classic prep shoe is a clean white sneaker, but here's how you can level it up: With a sleek, low-heel silhouette and classic slip-on design, these black loafers are a wardrobe staple that can take you just about anywhere — from the office to dinner and a show, or from the Jitney straight onto a boat for happy hour. They're polished enough for a client meeting, but comfortable enough for a long city stroll (or a yacht deck, naturally). Go for the black for that timeless, East Coast boarding school vibe, or branch out with one of the other neutral or pastel shades — they pair effortlessly with every outfit on this list (and probably half the ones already in your closet). Timeless, versatile, and unapologetically prep — these are your go-to loafers for the season. For Love & Lemons always serves luxury-prep fantasy — and this flirty, feminine top fits the aesthetic and happens to be on sale With its delicate lace trim, subtle frills, and soft horizontal block stripes, this dreamy blouse feels like it was made for sipping something sparkling on a sailboat. The classic boat neckline and cap sleeves keep it polished, while a tiny bow detail seals the deal on peak preppy romance. It's equal parts Upper East Side tea party and French Riviera daydream — and yes, the price tag is as pretty as the top itself (for now). Scoop it up before it sets sail. Consider this our ode to the original prep-girl staple: the cropped pant These aren't your grandma's capris — but they are a nod to that timeless, flirty ankle moment. With a breezy, wide-leg silhouette, tailored front pockets, and a crisp cropped cut, they're made to show off your summer loafers, your favorite white sneakers, or just a touch more of that golden tan. Available in a range of inclusive fits, colors, and styles, these pants strike the perfect balance between classic and current. Dress them up with a structured blazer or down with a tucked-in tee — either way, they're the kind of elevated basic that makes your whole wardrobe feel more intentional. Chic, comfortable, and unapologetically prep — the perfect pair of jeans is always a smart investment. No preppy look is complete without the perfect carry-all — and this quilted BAGSMART tote nails the assignment. Whether you're trekking to a friend's place, catching a train out East, or just pretending your iced latte is headed to the Hamptons, this Lightweight Puffy Tote delivers on both style and practicality. With its pillowy quilting and clean silhouette, it leans into that effortless, quiet luxury look that's dominating prep-adjacent trends right now. Inside, it's all function: multiple compartments (yes, it fits a full-sized laptop), zip pockets for your essentials, and just enough room for a book, sunscreen, and an emergency sweater — aka your summer survival kit. It's polished enough to take to work, relaxed enough for weekend escapes, and totally on-theme with today's updated prep: crisp, classic, and intentionally unfussy. Of course, we couldn't leave off another lululemon gem — because sometimes, prep meets athleisure just right This dress is the ultimate summer staple: a sleek high-neck silhouette crafted from the famously buttery-soft Align fabric you already know and love. It's perfect for all your tennis whites moments — even if your only match is a brunch date. Bonus: it also comes in black for that Pilates-princess-meets-prep vibe that's both sophisticated and sporty. AND — wait for it — it's on sale. Yes, lululemon on sale. Pinch yourself. Need a little more support? No worries. The Wunder Under Smoothcover Dress offers the same luxe material in a similarly chic cut with extra hold, so you can prep up with confidence, no matter your play. Pajama sets are having a major moment — and honestly, why wouldn't you want to look put-together even while you sleep? These affordable Amazon finds are perfect for adding a little preppy polish to your nighttime routine. The lightweight, breathable fabric keeps you cool during steamy summer nights, while the matching sets give you that main character energy from the second you crawl into bed to the moment you reach for your iced coffee. With tons of patterns — think florals, gingham, animal print, and beyond — you can find the perfect vibe to match your personality (or your Pinterest board). Prep never sleeps — and now, you won't have to sacrifice style when you do either. Yes, it's hot. Yes, this trench will probably sit pretty in your closet until fall. But at 60% off? It's a no-brainer This classic, Ivy-inspired trench coat is the definition of timeless prep — crisp lines, a neutral palette, and that effortlessly polished silhouette that never goes out of style. It's the kind of piece that elevates anything you throw on underneath, from tailored trousers to tennis skirts and crewnecks. Preppy girls layer, too — and this is the piece that will carry your look seamlessly from summer storms to crisp fall mornings. Get it now, thank yourself later. You don't need old money to master timeless style. Whether you're channeling tennis-core charm or leaning into old-school East Coast polish, today's preppy style is all about mixing tradition with a twist. From bow-detailed tanks to breezy shirtdresses and yacht-ready stripes, these ten pieces prove you don't need a country club membership to master the look. So go ahead — embrace the pastels, lean into the polish, and dress like your summer itinerary includes at least one lobster roll in the Hamptons. For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
UAE Moments
21 hours ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Trump's Bid to Ban Foreign Students from Harvard Halted
A federal judge in Boston blocked on Monday, June 23, another effort by the US President Donald Trump's administration to ban international students from attending Harvard University. The judge said that the Trump administration's officials' "misplaced efforts to control a reputable academic institution' threatened freedom of speech. The order from the U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs preserves the ability of international students to apply and study at Harvard University while the case is decided. President Trump has sought to cut off enrollment of foreign students as part of his campaign to change the governance and policies of the Ivy League school. The administrations officials have also cut over $2.6 billion in research grants, cancelled federal contracts, and threatened to revoke the tax-exempt status of the university . Harvard University sued the Department of Homeland Security in May, after the department retracted the school's certification to host international students and issue paperwork for their visas. Burroughs temporarily halted the action hours after Harvard sued and then provided an initial injunction on June 20. The latest injunction came on June 23 in response to the Trump administration's move, citing a legal justification when he issued a proclamation on June 4, banning foreign students from entering the US to attend Harvard University.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
I'm a married polyamorous mom. The MAGA singles could learn from me.
Regarding the June 21 Style article 'MAGA and the single girl': I was struck by conservative Instagrammer Arynne Wexler's description of liberal women as 'androgynous pixie haircut unbathed Marxist freaks in polycules.' Bravo on the clever turn of phrase, Miss Wexler. Impressive use of your Ivy League education to bash polycules.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Step inside the home of Padmaja Kumari Parmar, the Princess of Mewar
There's something endlessly fascinating about royalty. Maybe it's the tradition, the mystery, or just the sheer elegance that feels worlds away from our everyday lives. So when a royal couple decides to make their home in Boston—a city known more for its Ivy League roots than its regal ones—of course, you want to take a peek inside. Padmaja Kumari Parmar, a princess from the House of Mewar, which is one of the world's oldest dynasties, and her husband, Dr Kush Singh Parmar, whose grandmother was a princess of Jaisalmer and who himself grew up in Mexico, brought centuries of heritage with them. Their children speak both Mewari and Spanish fluently, and their home needed to echo all these beautiful, lived-in stories. A post shared by Padmaja Kumari Parmar (@padmajakumariparmar) They called upon Massachusetts-based designer Vani Sayeed to reimagine their 100-year-old Georgian-style home. The brief was clear—'The couple wanted to honour their ancestral heritage,' Vani told Architectural Digest. To bring that cultural fusion to life, Vani looked to a special Pichwai painting already hanging in the living room—a piece filled with rich tones, cow motifs, and the image of Shrinathji. It didn't just ground the room; it guided the entire journey of the home's design. 'Padmaja and Kush preferred rich tones and gold metallics throughout the space, so we fashioned a narrative that is just as decadent in style,' she explains. The painting even inspired a trip to Udaipur and helped Vani find parallels between Indian and Mexican aesthetics. 'This painting guided a trip to Udaipur. It also helped me draw a vibrant parallel between Indian and Mexican cultures that are inherently complex and flamboyant.' The dining area showcases handcrafted Talavera pottery from Mexico, a nod to Kush's roots, while the living space tells its story through furniture and fabric. 'The Canasta Game chairs by Kravet Furniture upholstered in Cowtan and Tout depict a fable of a princess playing in an arbour, which reminded Vani of Padmaja and her daughters.' It all comes together with thoughtful layering—a rug designed by Vani herself, a dreamy chandelier, and bold hot-pink chairs that bring both Indian and Mexican vibrancy into focus. In the dining room, Kush's creative direction pushed the design into bolder territory. He asked for a gold ceiling, which now gleams against moody blue-green walls and a deep maroon wallpaper speckled with elephants. His artistic instinct paid off. 'He requested the ceiling to echo royalty in gold,' Vani recalls. She carried that richness into the primary bedroom too, with emerald-green velvet and a rani-pink lounge setup that manages to be both luxe and cosy. And the kids? They get a playful orange wonderland with fabrics straight from French design house Manuel Canovas. For Padmaja and Kush, the home reflects who they are and where they come from. For Vani, it was a lesson in emotion-led design. 'I want to design comfortable spaces for people. It has to be inviting, easy, and natural. Good design is invisible. One should feel it when they walk into a room,' she says.
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
As Trump administration punishes Ivy League, universities in the heartland stand to benefit
Advertisement 'A lot of higher education is in a political food fight because they don't like the flavor of the current leadership,' said Todd Graves, chair of the Mizzou board. 'We keep our head down, we educate the students, we conduct the research, and we don't try to tell people how to live their lives. We try to make people's lives better.' A new University of Missouri Research Reactor employee, Christopher Verbsky, right, operated a mock-up hot cell while two other MURR employees watched. Each of MURR's hot cells costs approximately $2 million. Bailey Stover for The Boston Globe As the Trump administration starves Ivy League schools received $473.1 million in new from an average of $425.9 million, according to an analysis by STAT prepared for this report. Advertisement In a few more years, as SEC school leaders see it, wealth and talent will be more broadly distributed at public universities around the country, and less concentrated in the coastal elite institutions. 'American higher education is going to thrive,' said Jay Greene, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, the group behind The Trump administration is trying to force cultural changes in what it sees as the elite schools' At seven of the eight Ivy League schools, 20 to 25 percent of students are from foreign countries, according to US Department of Education data. At Columbia University, the figure is nearly 40 percent. The SEC colleges, by contrast, have some of the lowest percentages of international students in the United States. At most of these schools, non-Americans make up 5 percent or less of the student body. Advertisement At most SEC schools, at least 70 percent of the student body is white, though some schools have relatively large proportions of Black students. Just 33 percent of Harvard's students are white. Large public universities in the South, where Gaza protests were generally more muted last year than at Harvard or Columbia, have not seen the same kind of targeted attacks. Their science labs have lost money in President Trump's massive cuts to research funding, but their ambition to continue growth already underway in the last decade is fierce. @font-face { font-family: BentonSansCond-Regular; src: url(" format('woff2'), url(" format('woff'); font-weight: 600; font-style: normal; } @font-face { font-family: BentonSansCond-Bold; src: url(" format('woff2'), url(" format('woff'); font-weight: 600; font-style: normal; } .dnddicesarea__container{ display: block; max-width: 750px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; background-color: #fff; } .cvsillotitle { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Bold", "Impact", "Arial Narrow", "Helvetica", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.28; text-align: center; color: #000; padding: 0; margin-top: 25px; } .cvsillotextblurb { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Regular", "Impact", "Arial Narrow", "Helvetica", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 800; line-height: 1.28; text-align: center; color: #000; padding: 10px 10px 10px 0; letter-spacing: .5px; } .cvsillotextblurb span { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Bold", "Impact", "Arial Narrow", "Helvetica", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 800; line-height: 1.28; text-align: center; color: #000; padding: 0 0 10px 0; letter-spacing: .5px; } /* Dek styles */ .cvsillo-well__dek { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Bold", "Impact", "Arial Narrow", "Helvetica", sans-serif; font-size: 38px; font-weight: 200; text-align: center; color: #000; padding-right: 10px; margin-left: 10px; line-height: 1.2; } .cvsillo-well__dekblurb { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Regular", "Impact", "Arial Narrow", "Helvetica", sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 800; line-height: 1.2; text-align: center; color: #000; margin-bottom: 10px; letter-spacing: .5px; padding: 0 0 0px 0; } /* Link box styles */ .cvsillolinks { font-family: "BentonSansCond-Regular", "Impact", "Arial Narrow", "Helvetica", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 2; letter-spacing: .8px; background-color: #fff; color: #333; cursor: pointer; padding: 5px; border: none; text-align: left; transition: 0.4s; margin: 0px 0; width: 100%; } .abovecredline { width: 100%; display: block; border-bottom: 0px solid rgba(000, 000, 000,1); height: 1px; background: #56849b; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-top: 4px; text-align: center; } /* Flex layout for responsive card grid */ .cvsillo-well__top-links { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: space-between; gap: 20px; margin-top: 0px; } .cvsillo-well__related-container { flex: 1 1 100%; max-width: 100%; } /* Medium screens: 2 per row */ @media (min-width: 600px) { .cvsillo-well__related-container { flex: 1 1 calc(50% - 10px); max-width: calc(50% - 10px); } } /* Large screens: 3 per row (optional) */ @media (min-width: 900px) { .cvsillo-well__related-container { flex: 1 1 calc(50% - 10px); max-width: calc(50% - 10px); } } .cvsillo-well__related-container { position: relative; } /* Show vertical divider between 2-per-row items, EXCEPT the last item */ .cvsillo-well__related-container:not(:nth-child(4n)):not(:last-child)::after { content: ""; position: absolute; top: 10%; right: -10px; width: 1px; height: 80%; background-color: #ccc; } /* Remove all dividers on desktop (4-per-row or more) */ @media (min-width: 1000px) { .cvsillo-well__related-container::after { content: none; } } @media (max-width: 599px) { .cvsillo-well__related-container:nth-child(2) { border-top: 1px solid #ccc; padding-top: 10px; margin-top: 10px; } } Total terminated NIH grants at Harvard vs. Vanderbilt The two universities have seen vastly different reductions from the federal funding cuts from the National Institutes of Health, as of May 27. Harvard $2,163,911,123 Vanderbilt $23,947,335 SOURCE: Scott Delaney and Noam Ross; Note: Some grant terminations may not be included in the total; RYAN HUDDLE/GLOBE STAFF The predominance of the Ivy League will hardly disappear overnight, of course; the schools have For now, though, public universities in red states stand to gain from East Coast campuses' losses. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, made the administration's intentions plain Sixty to 65 percent of NIH funding goes to about 20 universities, he said: 'The system is set up almost to guarantee that that [concentration] happens,' Bhattacharya said. Advertisement NIH director Jayanta Bhattacharya said research funding should be more 'geographically dispersed. Win McNamee/Getty 'The way to combat scientific groupthink is by empowering researchers across the country, no matter where they are, to have a great opportunity if they have great ideas for NIH funding,' Bhattacharya said, referring to a common critique from the right that scientific research suffers from insularity. Even before Trump took office, the SEC schools had been making major gains in securing research dollars and recruiting students from around the country. Applications to SEC universities have soared by almost 300 percent since 2001, while elite colleges in New England have seen a smaller 188 percent increase in interest, said Kyle Whitman, chief data scientist of the Carnegie Classifications, a system used to organize universities based on research levels and degrees offered, managed by the American Council on Education. Fewer and fewer students from New England have enrolled in the region's most selective universities, while the SEC has successfully recruited more Northern students. 'There is a broader cultural shift to the Sun Belt right now,' he said. 'There's an attitude there that growth is good.' The SEC schools also offer attractive selling points that are hard to find in New England: booming Greek life, massive sporting events, lower sticker prices, and milder winters. The columns at the University of Missouri's David R. Francis Quadrangle in Columbia. Bailey Stover for The Boston Globe 'It's fun being a student at a university like ours,' said Mun Choi, chancellor of the University of Missouri and president of the Missouri system. 'Not only do you have a beautiful campus, excellent faculty members, and a thriving downtown . . . we're an SEC school where football weekends or major basketball games — literally it feels like electricity in there.' The SEC schools' big-time athletic programs help students and faculty members see 'themselves on this greater common mission,' said Ross Zafonte, who recently joined Mizzou's medical school administration after many years at Harvard University and Mass General Brigham, where he served as president of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. Advertisement 'On Fridays here, it sounds corny, people wear Mizzou Tiger stuff,' Zafonte said. The Ivy League schools, the Trump administration and its allies argue, have fraught campus cultures because they've become obsessed with identity politics, a byproduct of DEI initiatives, and because they enroll too many Graduates passed the John Harvard Statue during Harvard University's 374th Commencement in Cambridge on May 29. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff When questioned about Harvard enrolling the 'best and brightest from around the world,' Trump said it had to offer 'Then you see the same people picketing and screaming at the United States, and . . . they're antisemitic,' he said. 'We don't want troublemakers here.' Some students and faculty members, said Greene, of the Heritage Foundation, may want to avoid the political drama consuming campuses like Harvard, and choose instead to go to 'universities in red states,' where, he argues, students can receive a great education in a less politicized environment. In this period of retrenchment for the elites, some SEC campuses are developing aggressive research growth plans. At the University of Texas Austin, federal funding cuts have affected $47 million in research funding for about 60 grants, or just 1 percent of its research enterprise, which spends about $1 billion annually on roughly 4,600 projects. Moving forward, UT Austin plans to expand its Texas Institute for Electronics, a semiconductor research and development facility that has received substantial government investment in the past, according to the university's 2025 strategic plan for research. Advertisement As applications from out-of-state students continue to soar, 'we see the caliber of those students exponentially increasing,' said Miguel Wasielewski, vice provost of admissions at UT Austin. And though the University of Tennessee system is wading through almost $38 million in federal funding cuts, its leaders expect research operations to continue to grow, said John Zomchick, provost and senior vice chancellor. The University of Missouri Research Reactor emits Cherenkov radiation, a blue glow. Bailey Stover for The Boston Globe In the last five years, the school's research expenditures increased by 21 percent to $384 million in fiscal 2024, and the university plans to hire more faculty to oversee research in engineering, artificial intelligence, and precision health, he said. Research expenditures at Harvard, by contrast, increased 13 percent to $1.02 billion from fiscal 2020 to fiscal 2024. In May, the University of Tennessee signed an agreement with Consolidated Nuclear Security, which operates a government office that was initially part of the Manhattan Project. A spokesperson said the deal will create 'new partnership-powered R&D initiatives that will enhance our nation's national and nuclear security.' Tennessee's Oak Ridge National Laboratory nearby is also partnering with the Department of Energy in plans to add hundreds of PhD students in its data, energy, and genome science programs. 'There's enormous optimism here,' said Zomchick. 'Are there some things that are happening that we will have to adapt to? Absolutely. But our intention is to hold the course, modify the course, as necessary.' The University of Alabama in 2018 was named among the universities with the highest levels of research activity in the country, a long-held goal of the Tuscaloosa campus. President Trump was applauded by graduates after his commencement speech at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa on May 1. HAIYUN JIANG/NYT The institution's big commencement speaker this spring was Trump himself. 'It is clear to see the next chapter of the American story will not be written by the Harvard Crimson,' Trump told a cheering crowd of thousands. 'It will be written by you, the Crimson Tide.' As a pall descended on major East Coast research schools this spring, Mizzou's president began pitching the research reactor to the Trump administration. In a March visit to Mar-a-Lago, Mun Choi was the only university president in the room, he said. Choi has calibrated his sales talk to resonate with a White House that has deep anxieties about global competition. If the university does not get the funding to build the new reactor, Choi said in his wood-paneled office overlooking Francis Quadrangle's six limestone columns, there is 'no other supplier in the Western Hemisphere.' 'We do not want to be in a situation where we are reliant on other countries' generosity to be able to share the radioisotopes with American patients,' Choi said. Mizzou, like other universities with burgeoning research enterprises, is working hard to diversify its research funding sources beyond the NIH to rely more on other sources, including the state and the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Transportation. 'Places like Harvard and Columbia and Yale, they are so heavily leveraged with NIH, which was a good thing for two generations,' said Richard J. Barohn, executive vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of Mizzou's School of Medicine. 'Now, maybe it's not such a good thing. . . . I think we're going to get faculty that are going to move here.' And in Choi, the university has a steady leader, several faculty and administrators said. His life story embodies the American dream, and he understands the political nature of the job. An immigrant from South Korea, Choi arrived in Akron, Ohio, as a 9-year-old and learned about resilience from watching his parents, who grew up during the Korean War, build a business making Taekwondo uniforms. University staffers and faculty members marvel at Choi's talent for remembering the name of everyone he meets. One evening, he worked the room at an alumni event held at an outdoor bar with live music, shaking hands, and clinking a pint of beer with guests. He's also a regular attendee at athletic events and games, cheering on the Tigers in an iridescent yellow jacket, he said. Mun Choi, chancellor of the University of Missouri and president of the Missouri system, said, 'Our objective is to create an epicenter of nuclear medicine right here in mid-Missouri." Bailey Stover for The Boston Globe His tenure at Missouri has not been without drama. Before Choi began the job in 2017, the Chronicle of Higher Education put the task ahead in stark terms: 'The University of Missouri system is looking for a new president, but given the system's recent upheaval a better title for the new leader might well be 'miracle worker.' ' The university, about two hours west of Ferguson, Mo., where police shot and killed Michael Brown in 2014, had been rocked by protests about race and Black students' experiences on campus in 2015. Two senior leaders resigned because of the conflagration, and school officials blamed subsequent declines in enrollment, donations, and state funding on the protests. While overall enrollment has improved since, Black enrollment continues to lag. Asked about what the university is doing to recruit students of color to recoup those losses, Choi answered carefully. 'It's very important for us to recruit very broadly, and to bring the very best students to our university so that they can benefit from what we offer,' Choi said. Race relations on campus made headlines again in 2020 after the police murder of George Floyd when student protesters called for the removal of a bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson because he was a slave owner. The university did not concede. There have been pro-Palestinian protests on Mizzou's campus over the Israel-Hamas war, though they were reportedly peaceful and did not attract the media frenzy many Northeast campuses experienced. Choi also forbade the student group Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine from marching in the annual Homecoming Parade last fall, prompting criticism from students who accused university leaders of discrimination. 'I was concerned about the safety concerns, and also I didn't feel that what they planned to do, which I believe was to protest the war, was appropriate for the Homecoming Parade,' Choi said. It's that same pragmatism that brought him to Mar-a-Lago, at the invitation of an alum who had a meeting scheduled with Republican Representative Jason Smith to discuss tax issues. Choi said he spoke with lawmakers about his idea to offer tax credits for radioisotope production. The lawmakers didn't bite, but Choi remains optimistic about seeking federal support. The Missouri General Assembly earlier this month approved a request from the governor to provide $50 million in funding for the project. The university in April announced a $10 million agreement with a consortium that includes Hyundai Engineering America, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, the Hyundai Engineering Co., and MPR Associates for the design and licensing of the new reactor. Mizzou has also successfully brought at least one paused project back online by working with the Department of Agriculture and congressional leaders, Choi said. Asked about the East Coast schools' plea for solidarity from campuses across the nation in their fight against what they see as dangerous government overreach that threatens academic freedom, Choi paused. Joint statements against the onslaught have crossed his desk, but he and his team made a 'conscious decision not to sign.' 'My words and my action can have dramatic impact to this institution, and I have to be very careful in what I say and what I do to ensure that those words and my actions do not negatively impact this university,' Choi said. 'I've been very mindful of that responsibility.' J. Emory Parker, data editor for the Globe's sister publication STAT, contributed to this report. Hilary Burns can be reached at Follow Us Subscribe Now My Account Contact More © 2025 Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC
