Bill Ruppert ends productive tenure as MUBG Advisory Board President

Bill Ruppert’s three-year tenure as President of Mizzou Botanic Garden’s Friends Advisory Board was eventful and personally satisfying. An active MU alumnus, he believes his many ties and associations to MU contributed to his success. He is most proud of his work with the Legacy Oaks of the Francis Quadrangle project.

“When I assumed the role of president with the Friends of Mizzou Botanic Garden Advisory Board, one of my goals was to further develop the board,” Bill Ruppert said as he prepared to step away from the position he has held for three years.

To that end, he said, he spearheaded the creation of the Friends Honorary Board consisting of people in leadership roles on the MU campus and in Missouri-based botanic garden and gardening organizations.

“I think it’s important to keep these people in touch with what’s happening in regard to the garden,” he said.

Ruppert also spread the word about the campus botanic garden through his work with MUBG Director Pete Millier to plan and promote Friends educational events.

"Bill is very well-connected in Missouri's subculture of native plant and horticulture interest groups. He has been, and remains, one of the loudest voices championing MUBG to people all over the state. Even though he is stepping down from his role as president, I am happy that he will remain an active board member and advocate for the garden," said Millier.

Additionally, Ruppert is pleased that his MU involvements and activities allowed him to contribute to and keep the board apprised of continuing advancements to the MU Campus Master Plan, vital knowledge in regard to the garden.

Ruppert is most proud of his work with The Legacy Oaks of the Francis Quadrangle project: a campus campaign to remove aging and deteriorating pin oaks from the Francis Quadrangle and replace them with Missouri native oak species suitable for the site conditions.

“We started talking about this five years ago,” Ruppert said of the now-public initiative. “I’m hoping by marketing this campaign about the pin oaks on the Quad, it brings the issue of tree care quality across campus to the forefront. What’s happening on the Quad is what’s going on across campus.

Ruppert believes there is a continuing need to engage and develop the advisory board.

“It’s up to the board to build relationships — a tag team approach,” he said. I’m hoping Susan [Heinsz, MUBG president] can take the foundation of the board and further diversify member talents.”

"Bill has done an excellent job in his role as president of the Friends of the Garden advisory board,” said Millier. “I am especially grateful for his leadership in the Legacy Oaks campaign. His energy and passion for all things MU have served us well."

Story by Jan Wiese-Fales