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COLUMBIA, MO. -- The University of Missouri’s new president returned to his alma mater on Wednesday to officially begin work.

Tim Wolfe, 53, is a former software company executive and 1980 Missouri graduate hired in December.

Wolfe is no stranger to Columbia.

The University President is a graduate of Rock Bridge High School where he won a state football championship.

Wolfe is already working the Governor and Missouri Legislators to improve state funding for higher education.

Wolfe said, “Getting a more educated population that can fill the jobs that will be created through the economic development that we are doing will raise the level of tax revenue that will come into the state that will allow for more allocation to higher education and other causes.”

Wolfe has spent the past 2 months visiting the system’s four campuses and working with his predecessor, Interim President Steve Owens.

Owens said, “One of the things that we wanted to do was make sure that when he came on board officially, he hit the ground running.  He has spent almost every day since the first of the year, either here in Columbia, or on one of our campuses.  In addition to that, the general officers and I have served as a transition team to bring him up to speed.”

A private reception was held for Wolfe on Wednesday morning.

A public welcoming for Wolfe and his family is planned for Monday afternoon at Mizzou’s Memorial Union.