February 21, 2017

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THE STANDARD M I S S O U R I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

VOLUME 110, ISSUE 21 | THE-STANDARD.ORG The Standard/The Standard Sports

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

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HAIL TO THE CHIEF Looking back at presidents’ legacies on Missouri State University’s campus

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New master’s program added to the university

Noah Standish Staff Reporter @NoahjStandish

Hanna Sumpter Staff Reporter @hannasumpter

Carrington Hall, Hill Hall, Ellis Hall, and the Duane G. Meyer Library — many students pass by these buildings every day, but many of them are unaware of the historical context the names refer to. Since its inception in 1905, MSU has grown substantially under the leadership of effective university presidents, and many of them are honored on Springfield’s campus today. A university president interacts with federal and state governments, oversees the organization of the institution’s services, policies and development, while also serving as the face of the university. MSU’s current president, Clif Smart, said an effective president must “have the right tone, openness and kindness while advancing the university the right way,” citing former MSU presidents Michael Nietzel and Duane Meyer as examples. “There are a variety of divisions that report to (the president), whether that be student, international or academic programs,” Smart said of the complexities. “(The president is) also responsible for hiring, managing and supervising, as well as creating the budget.” A president also works to grow the university through community events such as fundraising. Citing former MSU president Arthur Mallory as a role model, Smart emphasized the importance of setting the tone for discussion and progress, while minimizing confrontation. Assistant professor of English Erin Kappeler also voiced the importance of a university president being an advocate for higher education. “A good president supports teaching and research, while advocating for every department and seeing the value in everyone,” Kappeler said. Here are the presidents behind the success of Missouri State University.

Students will be able to start working toward a Master’s Degree in Computer Science at Missouri State University as early as the fall semester of this year. The MSU Board of Governors approved the new degree last week during an executive committee meeting. “There is no complementary program in southwest Missouri,” Frank Einhellig, provost of MSU and chancellor of the Mountain Grove campus said. “(The degree) is demand driven, and there is apparently a real and genuine need for this. So, it’s a good way to serve our students,” Joe Carmichael, chair of the board of governors,

William Thomas Carrington (1906-1918)

File photo by MICHAEL GULLEDGE/THE STANDARD

Michael Nietzel, the university’s ninth president, speaks to students and faculty. teachers to work in the public school system, offering a four-year Bachelor of Science/Arts in Education Degree by 1913. By the end of Carrington’s tenure, the university was offering 179 available courses and 61 high school courses to nearly 500 students, according to MSU’s website. Academic Hall was built in 1909 and is named Carrington Hall today in honor of the university’s first president.

Clyde Milton Hill (1918-1926) Dr. Clyde M. Hill was selected to succeed Carrington as the university’s second president in 1918 after serving as a superintendent in West Plains. He was a student of Fourth District Normal School before returning three years later to teach math. Under Hill, the university was renamed to Southwest Missouri State Teachers College while retaining focus on preparation for future teachers. As president, Hill saw enrollment double, reaching over 1,000 students for the first time, spread out over 12 different departments while the Education Building and The Science Building were constructed—now named Hill Hall and Siceluff Hall, respectively, according to MSU’s website.

Elected to become the first president of Fourth District Normal School in Roy Ellis (1926-1961) January 1906, William Carrington served as a high school principal and As the MSU’s third president, Roy state superintendent of education for Ellis would go on to serve from 1926 nearly 20 years. to 1961 as the longest tenured president During Missouri State’s early years, in Missouri State University’s history. the primary focus was to prepare future Another student of Fourth District Normal School, Ellis graduated in 1911 before returning to teach sociology and economics in 1917, according to MSU’s website. During Ellis’ tenure, the university officially received academic accreditation in 1927, and the college’s name was changed to Southwest Missouri State College in 1946. Public works projects led to the construction of the Health and Recreation Building that is now known as File photo by MICHAEL GULLEDGE/THE McDonald Arena, and enrollment grew STANDARD to over 3,400 students by the end of Ellis’ tenure in 1961, according to James E. Cofer, Sr. was MSU’s MSU’s website. Ellis Hall, home to the 10th president from 2010-2011.

department of music, was built in 1959 and named in his honor.

Leland Eldridge Traywick (1961-1964)

Even though Leland Traywick only served three years as MSU’s fourth president, he established several important things on campus. He set up a “Committee on the Future of SMS,” which consisted of faculty and administrators who looked at ways to improve student life and campus facilities, as well as the faculty’s responsibilities. According to MSU’s website, the committee was “precedent-setting, providing clear evidence of the principle of ‘shared governance.’” While president, he created the Faculty Senate, adopted the semester system and received funding to increase the student union and dormitory space. While Traywick was president, the Tent Theatre tradition was started; baseball, wrestling, women’s volleyball, tennis and field hockey were added to the intercollegiate sports competition, according to MSU’s website.

Arthur Lee Mallory (19641971)

A graduate from the Fourth District Normal School, Arthur Mallory became MSU’s fifth president in 1964 at the age of 31, becoming the youngest president at MSU, according to MSU’s website. Under Mallory, history, English, math, theater and education master’s degrees were offered in 1966. From 1964 to 1971, enrollment grew to almost 10,000 students, a 130 percent increase, according to MSU’s website. By 1967, the campus was about 60 acres, and included new buildings like Greenwood Laboratory School, Craig Hall, Taylor Health and Wellness and Blair-Shannon.

Duane G. Meyer (1971-1983) During Duane G. Meyer’s presidency, Southwest Missouri State College u See PRESIDENTS, page 8

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said during the meeting. The program for the degree has three track options including a thesis track, a project track and a course-only track. The degree will be like most degrees, requiring 30 credit hours of 600- and 700-level courses. An internship is an optional part of the degree. The university is expecting around 50 students to enroll in the program for the first year and around 100 students each year after. It is expected that a portion of these students will be international students. “Some of (the students), in fact, quite a number of them, probably will be international. (The degree) is a high demand from international areas, particularly India and China,”

u See BOG, page 8

Professor wins Outstanding Educator award Matt Campanelli Staff Reporter @THE_MattyCamp The thought of studying finance might sound like a boring major for some. For associate professor Dr. James Philpot, teaching finance is a way of life. The Federation of Business Disciplines has named Philpot an Outstanding Educator of the Year for 2017. “It’s a tremendous honor,” Philpot said. “It’s always good when peers recognize your

education. Philpot said one of those contributions is helping to review new textbooks where publishers will send chapters for Philpot to review and comment on. “It’s kind of neat to see my name in the credits in the new textbook and to feel like I got a tiny little imprint on this and maybe I’m contributing to other campuses.” Philpot said. Philpot added that he has also written about different ways to teach the subject of finance to students. Philpot said that a popular method is using

It’s kind of neat to see my name in the credits in the new textbook and to feel like I got a tiny little imprint on this.

-Dr. James Philpot achievements.” Each year, the Federation of Business Disciplines sponsors Outstanding Educator awards for each regional professional association in business. For example, the Southwest American Accounting Association will also choose an Outstanding Educator of the Year. Philpot will receive his reward from the Southwest Finance Association. According to Philpot, the award is not just for what he has done in the classroom, but also his contributions to finance

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films with relevant material to help teach different topics within the subject. “One of the things we talk about in finance and kind of grumble about is the marketing people can always show a video,” Philpot said. “They teach stuff that lends itself really well to video; in finance. We really don’t.” Dr. Kent Ragan, department head of finance and general business, said he thinks Philpot

u See PHILPOT, page 8


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