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

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Leon continues the meeting by talking about the mission of the College. ' Primarily, we are a teaching institution, he says. That ' s where our success is going to be. We have already been a suc¬ cess in our graduates...We have not distinguished ourselves in research, and we cannot afford to go in the direction of research. F In marketing, if the product is good enough, it will sell. If the pro¬ duct is not good enough, it doesn ' t take people long to find out you are not telling the truth. The product is the most important thing and that depends on the kind of teaching we have within the four walls. More non-profit institutions are becoming involved in marketing and strategy planning. We are in the people business. We need to be alert, to give good service to our students and parents. It is tremen¬ dously important. People will remember our service and the way we deliver. We need to get away from the notion that all the teaching needs to take place on this campus. We must continue our public relations efforts. We cannot rely on word-of-mouth. Things are begin¬ ning to happen...We have a battle on our hands. As department heads, you need to concentrate on what you can do to help the Col¬ lege. 8:45 —Leon concludes his presentation to the Council with: I feel it is important to express to faculty the direction we need to go. Richard Humphrey, director of ad¬ missions, and Robert Nickolaisen, assistant dean of technology, then addressed the administrators. 9:17—The meeting is dismissed. As Leon leaves, he speaks briefly with Dr. Vonnie Prentice, head of the biology department. Vonnie, have you checked with Dave Throop (purchasing agent) about that equipment? 9:25—Leon arrives at his office and begins to read his mail. 9:27 —Leon meets with Marilyn Jacobs, president of the Faculty Senate, to discuss the Senate agen¬ da for the remainder of the year. 9:45—The meeting with Jacobs ends. Dr. Paul Shipman, vice presi¬ dent for business affairs, then meets with Leon. 10:01—Shipman departs, and Leon returns two telephone calls. (Top) Dr. Leon asks his secretary, Dorothy Kolkmeyer, to copy materials. (Above) Dr. Leon makes one of many phone calls during the day. — Photos by Ed Mill Leon □

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A day with Southern ' s Special President Serving as the top administrator to Southerns Special faculty, students, and staff is a Special per¬ son: Dr. Julio S. Leon, College President. Leon was appointed interim President of Missouri Southern in June 1982 and permanent Presi¬ dent in December 1982. Coming to the College in 1969, he was a fac¬ ulty member in the School of Business Administration and then dean of that school. Jean Campbell of the Crossroads staff spent a Tuesday in February with Leon to report on the typical happenings of a day with the Presi¬ dent. This is her story. 7:40 a.m.—Dr. Julio Leon arrives on campus. ' lie passed me on the way in, said Dorothy Kolkmeyer, secretary to the President. He usually arrives earlier on the mor¬ nings he has Administrative Coun¬ cil. Leon does not claim to be an ear¬ ly riser. He said he gets up when Nathan, his 4-year-old son, wakes up, about 6 or 6:30 a.m. With Nathan, I have not needed an alarm clock, said Leon. However, as Nathan grows older he seems to sleep later. I have had to depend on the clock more. I do not feel it necessary to be at the office by 8 a.m. every day, he said. Many times I spend even¬ ings and weekends in meetings and speaking on behalf of the College. Sometimes I think the hardest pat of this job is shaving two or three times a day, he said. Leon shaves this frequently in order to be ready to represent the College at all times, many times on camera. Administrative Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The meetings, which Leon presides over, involve 48 administrators (vice presidents, deans, depart¬ ment heads, directors). 7:45 —Leon spends a few minutes preparing himself for the upcom¬ ing meeting. He describes Ad¬ ministrative Council meetings as a time to review or exchange infor¬ mation pertinent to the College. 7:50—The President leaves his of¬ fice for the meeting in the Billing- sly Student Center. He stops to speak with his secretary. I ' m ex¬ pecting an important call today, he says. If I am with someone when that call comes, just inter¬ rupt. 8:05—The Administrative Coun¬ cil meeting begins. Leon tells of his plans to meet with Shaila Aery, Commissioner for Higher Educa¬ tion, concerning a proposal that will be submitted by Missouri Southern in September. You are the key, he says to the ad¬ ministrators. If I send information to you, I have read it and feel it is pertinent to your area. I would like for you to do the same for your faculty. (Top right) College President Julio Leon listens to a guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club luncheon. (Above right) Dr. Leon gives instructions to his secretary from the doorway of his office. (Right) Dr. Leon meets with Dr. Paul Shipman. — Photos by Ed Mill Leon □ :W : ■

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22 A day with the President (continued] 10:05 —Leon gives a check to Kolkmeyer for the Alumni Founda¬ tion, saying someone would come by later to pick it up. 10:07—The President returns another phone call. 10:09—Leon takes a phone call. 10:15 —Leon goes to an ajoining office for a cup of coffee. 10:18—A phone call is made. 10:43—Another call is made. 10:51 —Dr. Steven Gale, head of the Honors Committee, stops by to confirm a scheduled campus visit from a prospective Honors student. Leon usually meets with these students when they visit campus. 11:01 —Leon asks Kolkmeyer to have some materials copied and sent to members of the Ad¬ ministrative Council. 11:03 —Leon visits Dr. Floyd Belk, vice president for academic affairs. 11:18 —Leon calls Dr. Joe Lambert, head of the English department, to confirm an ap¬ pointment to speak to English ma¬ jors that Friday. They then discuss the Administrative Council meeting. 11:36—Leon steps into Shipman s office. The remainder of the morn¬ ing was spent reviewing the mail, holding a series of brief meetings with Belk and Shipman, giving directions to the secretary, and talking on the telephone. ' He manages his time real well, ' said Kolkmeyer. He doesn ' t piddle around on things that are not im¬ portant. Kolkmeyer, who is refer¬ red to by Leon as the keeper of the gates, schedules his trips and of¬ fice appointments. 11:45 —Leon leaves campus for a Kiwanis Club luncheon at the Holi¬ day Inn. According to Leor Kiwanis is a civic organizatio made up of people interested! serving their community. 11:57 —Leon arrives at the lui cheon. He discusses the recentl completed Phon-A-Thon, the La( Lions ' basketball team, and othi topics with fellow members. 1:15 p.m.—Leon returns to car pus. He takes the messages fro his secretary. 1:35 —Leon meets with a studen 1:50—Leon makes a phone ca 2:00—The President has a sta ding weekly appointment at th time with Dr. Glenn Dolence, del of students. Dolence is accor panied by Humphrey and Jam Gilbert, director of financial aids, meet with the President every Tue day to discuss student conceri that may arise, said Dolence. (Top) Gwen Hunt, director of public information, meets with Dr. Leon. (Right) Glenn Dolence, James Gilbert, and Richard Humphrey discuss student financial aids with the President. — Fhotos by Ed Hill Leon □