Meet the Trustees

Some new and returning faces have graced the Central Methodist University Board of Trustees this year, with six members added to the decision-making body of the university.

Shelby Alexander, Hadley Edwards, Mark Harbison, Jay Jacobs, John Orscheln, and Kellie Platz each took time to visit with the Talon staff to share some of their big ideas and visions for the university and their thoughts on the state of the college and community. Get to know each of the new board members with the following profiles, edited for space and clarity.

Shelby Alexander ’97

Hometown: Fayette, Mo. Committees: Finance Committee, Academic Affairs Committee

On how campus has changed:

“The facilities on campus have changed a lot since I was a student, and even though things look different now, the overall feeling of being here is similar to how it’s always been. Updating the facilities and keeping things looking nice is important for CMU’s success because it shows we’re reinvesting back into our product, but we do always want to have that sense of community that has always been there.”

On helping families navigate the cost of higher education:

“Families sometimes struggle, and I think some of that struggle is not knowing what is out there and available to them. There are more scholarships than people realize, and we can always do more to raise awareness of that. Programs like Dollars for Scholars for Methodist students are great; we just have to be proactive about helping to promote them to our students and potential students.”

On experiential learning opportunities:

“Having had the experience of going on a Janaway trip, I would love to see us offer more of these opportunities for learning outside the classroom. I grew up in southeast Missouri, not knowing anything outside of this little bubble. And I went to New York City with Joe Geist and Tom Yancey, and they just opened my eyes up to a whole new world. I learned so much spending 10 days with two professors that I might not have known otherwise, and they exposed me to so many different areas of life, all outside the classroom.”

Rev. Hadley Edwards ’81

Hometown: Gretna, La. Committees: Advancement/Alumni Relations Committee, Student Success Committee

On alumni engagement:

“One of the things that I think is most important with the alumni is to get involved and to tell your story to students and potential students so that they can get to know people who love the school and love to tell its story. Whatever alumni can do to get students to come and visit is huge. Not every student is going to have the means to come visit Central. But I think if alumni can help a student do that, whether it’s driving them or buying a plane ticket, that’s so important. It shows an interest and an investment beyond the norm.”

On training students for a dynamic job market:

“It’s important for Central Methodist to remain vigilant and take risks so that we can make sure our students are the best at everything they set out to do. When I was a Central student, we were the best at music and nursing. If you wanted to be the best at those, you went to Central. I think we ought to do everything in our power to be the best at everything we offer now. Marine biology, for example. Even in the center of Missouri among the hills, students can still come to Central for marine biology and learn to be the best.”

On representation, diversity, and inclusion:

“In our modern society, it is important to me to look at all situations and see if I can see ME in that place. Seeing me prepares my heart, mind, and soul for full participation. Inclusiveness must be an inward and outward phenomenon, and I hope everyone can experience the natural rhythm of this concept, rather than it being something that is forced or dictated. There’s something about representation that is so very important when you’re trying to teach people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. We need those students to keep the university alive. We want good students, and there are good students of all varieties, all colors, that we need to be trying to reach. Following the lead of the United Methodist Church with its very visible stance on sexuality, we need to welcome all of God’s children to be a part of the community at Central Methodist. We ought to do everything we can to make sure everyone knows they are accepted.”

Mark Harbison ’76

Hometown: Fayette, Mo. Committees: Finance Committee, Student Success Committee

On Eagle Plaza and the community reaction:

“As a Fayette resident and someone who worked on the square for a long time, it’s been nice to see the improvement to that west side. Central didn’t just put up a brick building. They put some texture into the architecture and made it look really appealing and fit in with the downtown area. People are pleased with that improvement and that Central had the forethought to put in the retail spaces on the first floor. The modern dormitories for CMU students, much like the rooms our students grew up in, are great for the University as well.”

On the International Friendship Families program:

“[Former director of international programming] Cathy Baxter got my wife, Rebecca, and me involved in the program trying to pair international students up with local community members, and it’s been really embraced by the community. I’ve always had the feeling that we provide these international students with their home away from home. When they need to get away from campus and it suits our schedule, we’re always happy to have them out to the house.”

On the diverse experience of the board members:

“The board is very diverse in so many aspects. There are lawyers, doctors, financial experts, business people, which are all necessary to be able to run the University. It needs to be run like a business and support itself, and we have a great group of people to help that happen. They all have Central Methodist University in their heart and on their minds and want to see it succeed long after they’re gone.”

Kellie Platz ’02

Hometown: Manhattan, Kan. Committees: Academic Affairs Committee, Graduate & Extended Studies Committee

On long-term goals for the University:

“The higher education landscape is constantly evolving. Our institution has been in existence since 1854, and my hope is to ensure we continue for another 170 years and beyond. It is essential we regularly assess our degree programs and certifications to ensure they align with current job market demands and anticipate future trends. We must prioritize innovation, adopt forward-thinking approaches, and reimagine the traditional concept of the classroom. CMU has been at the forefront in providing Digital U and online courses to students for more than two decades. We have to do all we can to maintain this innovative, technology-driven approach to higher education and continually update and evolve our offerings to accommodate students, regardless of their physical location, in their studies.”

On preparing students for the workforce:

“It is essential for CMU to continue developing and integrating new technologies while keeping a finger on the pulse of the evolving needs of employers in the job market. CMU’s comprehensive approach to degree programs, which includes a well-rounded liberal arts education alongside specialized coursework in students’ majors, equips students with critical thinking skills essential for their future careers. Additionally, alumni engagement can play a vital role in this process by networking with students prior to graduation.”

On fostering an inclusive environment:

“Given that CMU is a small campus located in mid-Missouri with the majority of in-person students from rural hometowns less than 100 miles away, many students may have limited exposure to individuals with differing backgrounds and perspectives than them. Navigating professional and personal relationships with people who possess differing experiences and viewpoints can be challenging for a young adult. Increasing exposure to inclusivity and diversity is essential for personal development and maturity. Therefore, it is crucial for CMU to serve as a safe space where students can explore these differences. There are challenges associated with recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, coaching staff, and administration, but it is imperative for CMU to prioritize this initiative in order to provide role models for students.”

John Orscheln

Hometown: Columbia, Mo. Committees: Strategic Issues Committee, Student Success Committee

On alumni engagement:

“There’s nothing stronger for encouraging engagement than getting people to campus. Then when alumni want to engage further and help get involved with recruiting, they can talk up the university to their friends and family and sell it. If every alumnus could send us one great student in 20 years, it would be amazing. Then, of course, we can find people who can donate as a way to engage. But it all starts with attending events on campus, talking it up with their friends, and just creating that interest in giving back.”

On adapting to a changing educational environment:

“With the cost of being on campus being so expensive and every building needing to be maintained, I think we have to keep pushing online education, not only to stay viable but to be a massive portion of the business. And the nice thing about remote education is that we can have teachers from anywhere teaching everywhere. You can’t spend enough on teachers in an environment like this.”

On President Drake’s leadership:

“Dr. Drake is so responsive, and he doesn’t rush to judgment. He likes to understand the full 360-degree picture of a situation, no matter what we’re talking about. And he has an infectious personality. I’m sure he ranks at the top in popularity among college presidents because he’s able to make a connection with students. They love him and they don’t even always know why, and that’s the case for me as well. I love the man, and when he asks me for money, the answer is yes.”

Jay Jacobs

Hometown: Big Sky, Mont. Committees: Executive Committee, Campus Environment Committee, Finance Committee

On being part of a Central legacy:

“Not only did I grow up across the street from Central and spend the first 25 years of my life in Fayette, I’m also a fourth-generation board member and many members of my family graduated from Central. It holds a very important place in my heart and that is my reason for wanting to get re-engaged as a trustee. I served on the board from 1995-1999 and didn’t necessarily think I would be back 25 years later, but here we are and I am delighted to once again be a part of the CMU board.”

On institutional leadership:

“The University benefits greatly from outstanding leadership, and that starts with Dr. Roger Drake as our president. He and his team have been transformative in their leadership of Central over the past decade. Central is in a strong position now, in spite of the many challenges for higher education institutions generally. We have a great faculty and a terrific staff, so it really is about strength at all levels of the institution.”

On the vision for Central in 5-10 years:

“Based on the relative strength of the University versus peers, it is very clear that Central is doing a lot of things right. My vision would be that the university stays the course, understands the strengths it has, and continues to build on those. That includes high-quality academic experiences, the personal and spiritual development of our students, the opportunity for a sizable percentage of our students to compete in athletics and other extracurricular activities, and ultimately, great outcomes after graduation that prove the value of the Central experience. We also have to continue our innovative use of technology to improve the student experience and differentiate ourselves from other institutions.”