News and Progress
University of Missouri-Columbia receives $8.5 million for autism center of excellence
March 2, 2005
The University of Missouri-Columbia's efforts to help children with autism and their families received a major boost today as Chancellor Brady Deaton announced a $8.5 million gift from William and Nancy Thompson to fund the Thompson Family Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
“The federal government has declared autism a pressing public health problem,” said Stephen Jorgensen, dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, who collaborated with faculty in the Schools of Health Professions and Medicine to establish the center. “MU has the opportunity to profoundly influence the future of autism research and treatment through the collective knowledge and abilities of our researchers.”
Autism spectrum disorders are brain disorders that affect one in 166 individuals, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Children with autism experience impairments in social interaction, communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors and interests. This affects aspects of development, learning and adaptation in the community. Little is known about the causes, treatment and prevention of autism.
“Ongoing, interdisciplinary research at MU has the potential to produce important breakthroughs in several key areas of autism studies that will affect children and families across the state of Missouri and nationwide,” said Brady Deaton, MU chancellor. “We are committed to improving lives. This center will integrate autism research, service and teaching at the University. We know this will make a tremendous difference for those affected by this condition.”
Deaton made the announcement to an audience that included a number of children and parents who already receive autism-related services at MU. The chancellor recognized two of the University's leading autism researchers and service providers, Judith Miles, professor of child health, and Janet Farmer, associate professor of health psychology, who has directed the launch of the center.
The gift will create two Thompson Endowed Chairs in the School of Medicine. One chair will be in the Department of Child Health, where researchers partner with others across campus to determine which children get better and why. The second chair is in the Department of Radiology, where researchers will use neuro-imaging to understand brain development and its relation to autistic behavior. The gift also provides funding for naming five Thompson Research Scholars who will enhance interdisciplinary autism research.
“Nancy and I have learned so much about autism through our daughter, who works with children with autism,” said Thompson. “When it came time to give back to the community that has given us so much, we wanted to focus some of that giving on autism research. Our charge to MU is to make a difference in the study of autism — make a difference for the children with autism today, make a difference for their families and make a difference for the future, so that when a child is diagnosed with autism, his or her family has well-founded hope. We feel strongly that success should be measured one child at a time.”
William Thompson earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from MU in 1968. While a student at MU, he served as president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Missouri Students Association. He was appointed to the University of Missouri System Board of Curators in 1972 and served as chair of the board's Executive Committee in 1974. Thompson is CEO of PIMCO, the world's leading fixed-income investment-management firm, headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif. The firm also has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Tokyo, Munich, Singapore and Sydney. Thompson serves as co-chair of the For All We Call Mizzou campaign national steering committee.
Academic divisions that initially will participate in the center include the School of Medicine, the School of Health Professions, the College of Education, the College of Human Environmental Sciences, and the Truman School of Public Affairs. Other faculty from across campus also will be invited to enhance MU's programs for children with autism and other neurological conditions. Additionally, MU will strengthen its partnerships with the Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Department of Health and Senior Services.
The gift will count toward the For All We Call Mizzou comprehensive campaign goal of $600 million. To date, $556 million has been raised. The campaign began July 1, 1999, and is scheduled to end December 31 of this year.