And while he was his usual calm self, a couple of times it did seem as though his voice cracked a little. Floyd received a number of hugs and pats on the back from those in the audience. Just about anybody who is somebody in the University System was there. And while Floyd didn't get deep into the reasons for his departure, Curator Cheryl Walker was quick to voice her opinion that curators should have done more to sweeten their contract with Floyd to keep him in Missouri.

"What you heard from me is the fact that I think we will suffer a tremendous loss, we the state of Missouri and not just the University of Missouri as a whole," Walker said. "And I'm saddened by that. So, what you heard was my sadness."

"This is a remarkable place," President Floyd said. "You all are privileged to be a part of the University. We have several members of the general assembly who are here and I must tell you I've enjoyed greatly my work in Jefferson City. No, it hasn't been easy but it hasn't been easy for any of us. And we've had to work through very difficult fiscal times and it's turning around right now. And for that, we are very, very grateful."

As for when Floyd will leave officially, in his words: "that's unknown." The Board of Curators is meeting on the M-U campus Thursday and Friday. They'll hold an executive session Friday.