Oct. 13, 2026
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Photos by Abbie Lankitus, Gretta Cohoon and Nicholas Andrusisian
September brought plenty of activity to the University of Missouri, from the energy of a new semester to alumni returning to campus for Tiger traditions.
University photographer Gretta Cohoon looks back at the month and shares some of her favorite September photos.
This time of the semester is always my favorite. Campus is full of life, and students are eager to participate in the many activities Mizzou offers during Welcome Week. One event, Sweet Start at the Zou, lets students enjoy free ice cream while playing classic yard games.
I chose this photo because I was able to capture both the cornhole bag in midair and the gorgeous weather that evening. The white, puffy clouds against the bright blue sky created the perfect contrast with the student’s bright gold shirt. Together, these details demonstrate the energy and excitement of Welcome Week while showcasing the beautiful atmosphere on campus.
This fall, we welcomed the Class of 2030 with First Roar and the Class Photo on Faurot Field. University Photographer Abbie Lankitus captured this image using a drone, making sure the entire field was visible in the frame.
This image is so oddly satisfying to look at. Abbie was able to photograph the students while most of them were still in the Block M formation, while also capturing many of them dispersing after being told the photo was finished. Something about how small the students look — like little dots scattered across the huge field — really helps visualize the scale of this image. I especially enjoy the contrast between the organized M and the students beginning to spread out. I think this creates an exciting sense of movement within an otherwise structured photograph.
MizzouRec Fest is always such an entertaining event for me to photograph. MizzouRec opens its doors during Welcome Week so students can explore the endless fitness activities available to them. It helps them discover things that they might not otherwise try when spending time at the rec center.
If photos had sound, all you would hear from this one would be laughter. This student was trying so hard to stand up inside the inflatable hamster ball while sprinting across the width of the pool. Every few steps, he would lose his balance and tumble to the bottom of the ball. All around the pool, plenty of bystanders watched as other students took on the hamster ball challenge.
I love how, despite the challenge the student was facing inside the ball, there is still a smile on his face. I wanted to capture the joy this activity was bringing to each of the students. I was especially proud to have his face in focus, as photographing through the plastic was difficult because it tended to warp facial features. Being able to capture that expression clearly helps convey the fun that was happening.
Each fall, we have the privilege of welcoming a new group of Tigers to campus. Student photographer Reagan Manis brought us a new perspective of Move-in Day that many others may not think to photograph.
Reagan made the creative decision to focus on the stacked “MU” on the bridge of the Virginia Avenue Amphitheater, leaving the move-in action slightly blurred in the background. I think this perspective really emphasizes the idea that everyone comes together during Move-in Day, whether it be faculty and staff, resident advisors or the new students themselves to make Mizzou even better.
The sharp “MU” serves as a reminder of the community Move-in Day brings, while the movement in the background captures the energy that comes with welcoming a new class to campus.
The Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball photo day is always one of my favorites. It is an opportunity for me to think outside the box and photograph the athletes in ways that I would not otherwise get to during one of their games.
This year, I knew I wanted to lean into the classic Mizzou gold and utilize a golden backdrop. For the photoshoot, I made sure to photograph every athlete with even lighting, illuminating their entire body with both a key light and two silhouette lights. After ensuring I had all the photos I needed, I decided to get creative. I turned off the key light, leaving only the silhouette lights to illuminate the background. This left me with a gorgeous silhouette of team member Jeraldo Henry Jr.
I really appreciate how this photo almost looks as though it was created using graphic design. The small patch of light on the subject’s back, which barely illuminates his jersey, hints at the fact that this is still a photograph. I love how the image plays with the line between photography and design while still showcasing the athlete in a striking way.
The excitement of the first home game of the season was not the only thing Mizzou fans were celebrating on Sept. 3. Mizzou alumna Sheryl Crow returned to campus to help cheer on the Tigers and sing the national anthem.
Reagan did an amazing job of highlighting the energy in the stadium as Crow made her return. I really enjoy how the stands in the background are filled with gold, creating a strong contrast with Crow and helping her stand out in the frame. You can see the joy on her face, making it clear that Crow was just as happy to be back at Mizzou as the fans were to welcome her home.
It isn’t every day as a university photographer that you have the privilege of photographing a Grammy Award. Abbie had this unique opportunity and did such a beautiful job of capturing it. Sometimes, it can be difficult as a photographer to find a compelling way to photograph an inanimate object, but Abbie was able to use reflections to her advantage to make this image even more compelling.
I love how the gold from the stage lights illuminates the back of the Grammy, helping it stand out against the darker surroundings. The reflection adds another layer to the image, giving the photograph depth and making what could have been a simple product-style photo feel much more intentional and artistic.
Anyone who takes pictures in Jesse Auditorium knows how tricky it can be to get the white balance just right in that space. I was really pleased with how this photo turned out after snapping it during Homecoming Talent this year. The colors in this photo look very similar to what you would see with your own eyes, which is something we as photographers always strive to achieve.
Not only that, but I love what was captured within the photo. I could have easily cropped in tightly and excluded the flag, but including it provides important context for what the subject is singing. I love how this photo captures the subject singing passionately, completely immersed in the performance. The combination of the accurate color and expressive moment makes this image feel both technically successful and emotionally engaging.
The first thing I notice when looking at this photo is the symmetry. Everything feels so balanced and intentional. You do not always achieve this when creating an environmental portrait, but student photographer Sam Cox did an excellent job. I really appreciate how Sam chose to position the subject between two display cases, leaving just enough of each case visible to give viewers a glimpse of what they contain.
I also believe the angle from which the photo was taken is important. Sam photographed this from slightly below eye level, making the subject appear more powerful. This perspective helps emphasize Skylar Ciccolini’s story of balancing life as both a doctoral student and an athlete. The composition and perspective work together to create a portrait that feels strong, balanced and representative of Ciccolini’s story.
If you know me as a photographer, you know that I love experimenting with double exposures. I happened to be out photographing the Homecoming celebration around campus when I had the idea to create a double exposure featuring the Columns and Jesse Hall. I started by photographing Jesse Hall, cropping in tightly and allowing the bright blue sky to play a key role in the composition. Then, pivoting in the other direction, I centered myself in front of the Columns. I wanted the Homecoming banners to be the driving force of the photo, so I carefully aligned them over the Jesse Hall image.
These types of photos can be rather tricky to accomplish, especially since they are created completely in-camera. Having both images come out so clearly was a huge win. I love how the two images blend together while still allowing each element to remain recognizable. The combination of the Columns, Jesse Hall and banners perfectly highlights the spirit of Mizzou during Homecoming.
