Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

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REFLECTIONS . . . on beginning a new decade with a new president.

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Greg Holmes 15

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Southern ' s New President Donald Darnton brings broad background to growing college Dr. Donald Darnton, Interim President of Mansfield College in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, became the new president of Missouri Southern State College in April of 1979. Board of Regents President, Jerry Wells, made the announcement to a meeting of all faculty, administration and support staff, after which Dr. Darnton addressed the group. The naming of Dr. Darnton as president ended a four and a half month search which began in December, 1978 following the death of Dr. Leon C. Billingsly. An eleven- member screening committee consisting of representa¬ tives from college faculty, staff, administration, students. Board of Regents, alumni and community reviewed 237 applications from all over the United States. Ten candi¬ dates were brought to the campus for interviews with the committee who then recommended four candidates to the Regents to make the final selection. Dr. Darnton assumed the interim presidency of Mans¬ field in 1977, agreeing at that time under state policy not to seek the permanent presidency of the college. He had previously served as Vice-President for Academic Affairs from 1973 to 1976 when he assumed the position of act¬ ing president. He served as associate professor of economics and di¬ rector of special academic programs at Virginia Polytech¬ nic Institute and State University prior to coming to Mansfield. He holds both the doctor of philosophy degree and the master of arts degree in economics from University of Michigan, and the bachelor of arts in economics from College of William and Mary. During his tenure at Mansfield State College, new de¬ gree programs had been approved in business adminis¬ tration, computer information sciences, studio art, com¬ munity psychology, associate degrees in allied health in cooperation with Robert Packer Hospital, and a joint physics- engineering degree with Penn State. For high school students the college has initiated a speech and theatre spring workshop, a mathematics contest, and a National Honor Society College Day. The number of people participating in continuing education classes has increased from less than 100 to more than 2,000. In his remarks to the campus personnel. Dr. Darnton said, You are the future of the college more than I. My role is to give leadership, but what this college becomes will be the summation of the contributions of each of you. Commenting on his philosophy of education, he stat¬ ed, I would hope that MSSC can be widely recognized as a place where students can get a good education; where faculty are concerned about students; where stu¬ dents are seen as individuals, not as computer numbers. Faculty should define course and program goals; set high standards for achievements; and teach with expertise and enthusiasm. Referring to the many contacts he had with the college during the screening process he said, I saw reflected the high calibre of people who comprise Missouri Southern and the quality of the College. It made me want to join you and I am grateful that I am able to do so. It ' s with enthusiasm that I look forward to this challenge, to working with and getting to know you as a part of Mis¬ souri Southern State College, and to making the college the envy of our sister institutions throughout the state.