University of Missouri

Story by Karen Pojmann
Photo courtesy of Mizzou students
Published Feb. 6, 2014

The winning snowman, by Elise Henn, Claire Custer, Mackenzie Schranck and Sami Kurkowski.

Although he was at a meeting in sunny Florida (ahem) when the big storm hit, Mizzou’s new chancellor, R. Bowen Loftin, didn’t want to miss out on this week's wintry fun. He challenged students on Twitter to create bowtie-clad snowmen in his likeness and submit photos with the hashtag #snowbowtieger. His wife, “snow princess” Karin Loftin, was appointed judge of the impromptu snowman-building competition. The prize: lunch with the chancellor.

As snowflakes fell, students labored lovingly in cold Columbia, working with less-than-cooperative fresh powder. Small but adorable snowmen surfaced — bespectacled, mustachioed and, of course, taking fashion-accessory cues from Mizzou’s new leader.

The winning snowman was created by students Elise Henn, Mackenzie Schranck, Claire Custer and Sami Kurkowski. The snow princess decreed: "The winner is the one that most resembles the spirit of the Mizzou Chancellor."

Honorable-mention honors went to other participants, with a special shout-out for the creators of the giant bowtie